Bulgaria uncovers cannabis farm inside former zinc mine

April 29, 2026 9:50 AM EDT

An underground cannabis farm built inside a former mine and uncovered during a police operation near Kyustendil, Bulgaria, this handout image released on April 29, 2026. Bulgarian Interior Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

SOFIA, April ‌29 (Reuters) - Bulgarian ​police ​have charged three people and are seeking a fourth ‌after an ongoing investigation into drug ⁠trafficking and money laundering uncovered a cannabis ‌farm built inside ‌a former zinc mine, officials said on Wednesday.

So far, about 70 kilograms (154.32 ​lb) of drugs, 600,000 euros ($701,400) in cash and 600 rounds ⁠of ammunition have been seized, said Emil Borisov, ​deputy director of the General Directorate for Combating Organised Crime.

"The former ​mine was equipped ‌with high‑tech infrastructure and was likely used for large‑scale production ⁠intended for trafficking abroad," Borisov said.

The mine is located near the village ⁠of Garlyano, at the bottom of the ​Osogovo mountain, a few kilometers from the border with North Macedonia.

Authorities said the ongoing ‌investigation could take months, adding that the mine’s ownership and ‌the full scope of the ⁠operation were being ‌examined.

($1 = 0.8554 ​euros)

(Reporting by Alex Lefkowitz and Ivana Sekularac; editing by Barbara ‌Lewis)



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