Confiscation

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has sued Bulgaria for its handling of asset confiscation cases, marking the country's first illegal asset forfeiture law. The court found that Bulgarian authorities failed to establish a clear link between the confiscated property and the crimes for which individuals had been convicted.

Law enforcement officials have intercepted a significant quantity of illicit rakia, totaling over 1,000 liters, in a village located in the Silistra region, according to an announcement from the Ministry of the Interior.

The Customs Agency of Bulgaria has intensified scrutiny on all goods entering and exiting Austria, implemented across checkpoints and territory, aligning with the country's commitment to Austria and Schengen entry obligations.

In a recent turn of events, the sale of vehicles seized from individuals driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs has commenced. The Ministry of Interior reports a decline in such incidents following amendments to the Penal Code allowing vehicle confiscation from offenders.

Prva TV investigated what has been seized from Veljko Belivuk's clan so far and what is happening with the property of the mobsters after the seizure?

The General Secretariat for Trade and Consumer Protection of the Ministry of Development and Investment has announced the seizure of thousands of surgical masks and antiseptics, in the context of 144 nationwide inspections from April 27 to May 2, during which 12 violations were confirmed.

Customs authorities may have had a remarkably fruitful year in 2017 as regards inspections on tobacco products - confiscating 154 million contraband cigarettes and imposing taxes and fines of 581 million euros - but they also excelled in original catches, which included the confiscation of crocodiles, eels, sturgeon eggs, underwear and cutlery.

Police in Halkidiki, northern Greece, seized more than 4,500 contraband goods in a crackdown at tourist resorts in the area between August 7 and 11, according to a police statement released on Saturday.

The raids led to the arrest of eight people believed to have been touting the goods - seven Bangladeshi nationals and a Senegalese man.

Officers of the Financial Crimes Squad (SDOE) on Thursday confiscated hundreds of bottles of contraband alcohol from a wholesaler based in Peristeri, western Athens, and arrested five people believed to have been involved in an illicit racket selling doctored alcohol.

A total of 1,424 bottles, all bearing forged labels, were seized from a warehouse in Peristeri.

A record-high BGN 18.5 M in property has been confiscated on behalf of the state after it was discovered that the assets have been acquired illegally. Another BGN 13 M in property have to be ruled on by the court. Thus, the total amount will reach BGN 20 M in assets confiscated with sentences that have entered into force.