A van carrying 24 migrants, driven by a Bulgarian driver, was intercepted last night near the village of Lozenets (Tsarevo Municipality), Border Police General Directorate Head Anton Zlatanov told bTV. A van carrying the same number of migrants was also intercepted in the area on August 23.

"This happens daily. Every night we intercept such groups", commented Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov. According to him, the main pressure along the Bulgaria-Turkiye border is in the eastern section, in the area of Malko Tarnovo and Rezovo. ''In many parts of that area, the border between Bulgaria and Turkiye is a river. Right now, the water level is very low and migrants are crossing through the river'', explained Chief Commissioner Zlatanov.

Over the past year, more than 15 trafficking groups have been dismantled, including during international operations. Migrant traffickers charge between EUR 5,000 and EUR 20,000 per migrant to smuggle them through our country, Anton Zlatanov added.

Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov

Photo: BGNES