Bulgarian Authorities Conduct Large-scale Inspections of Petrol Stations

Bulgarian authorities have been conducting large-scale inspections of petrol stations over the weekend.

As of Sunday, authorities prevented the distribution of nearly 29 000 litres of fuel, the interior ministry's press service informs.

Petrol stations in Sofia, Varna, Burgas, Pleven and Harmanli were shut down for selling low quality fuel.

The inspections established devices which are thought to be used for manipulating data submitted by fuel retailers to the National Revenue Agency (NAP).

The inspections which started on Friday are taking place under the supervision of the prosecutor's office.

The specialized operation is being conducted on the territory of Sofia and fifteen other regional centres - Pernik, Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv, Ruse, Pleven, Vratsa, Montana, Stara Zagora, Gabrovo, Sliven, Dobrich, Razgrad, Pazardzhik and Haskovo.

The operation is carried out by officials of the interior ministry, NAP, the national customs agency, State Agency for Metrological and Technical Surveillance, State Agency for National Security (DANS).

The authorities made a preliminary selection of firms and retailers, specializing in distribution and trade with fuels.

On the basis of the analysis, fifty petrol and gas stations across the country were identified for inspection.

The inspections are aimed at implementing the priorities of the inter-institutional centre in the interior ministry's Chief Directorate Combating Organised Crime (GDBOP), which is targeting the criminal activities of fuel retailers, namely VAT evasion and sale of fuel that is not meeting established standards.

Measures on withdrawing the low quality fuel from the market have been undertaken.

The inspections come as the Commission for...