Bulgaria uncovers cannabis farm inside former zinc mine


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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