The number of attempts for smuggling of excisable goods through the “Kapitan Andreevo” border crossing has increased significantly during the last month, according to the results from the fifth joint operation against illegal importation of such goods. The operation was carried out by the Ministry of Finance (the Bulgarian Customs Agency and the National Revenue Agency) in cooperation with the National Service for Combating Organised Crime. The Crown Agents assisted with planning and implementation of the exercise.

The Mobile Assurance Teams of the BCA and teams of the National Revenue Agency made round-the-clock examinations of the people crossing the border through the “Kapitan Andreevo” border checkpoint and invigilated the duty-free shops there.

Violations of the customs regime were detected in 63.19% of the challenges of travellers. Compared to the previous exercise in March 2006, when the hit rate was 51.88%, the data shows that the number of attempts for smuggling of excisable goods through the “Kapitan Andreevo” border crossing has increased significantly. A total of 239 800 pieces of cigarettes were confiscated.

During the week, when the operation was carried out, the turnover of the duty-free shops at “Kapitan Andreevo” decreased by 1/3 compared to the average figures for the last one month. The average sales of the three premises located on the inward lane of the border crossing dropped by 32.38%. The average decrease of the turnover of the other three duty-free shops, located on the outward lane, was almost the same - 34.55%.

Press Centre
Bulgarian Ministry of Finance