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Nikola Nikolov - Pascal has been detained in Serbia

Photo: BGNES-archive

Nikola Nikolov - Pascal, considered one of the largest smugglers, has been arrested in Serbia during a joint operation by Bulgarian and Serbian special services.

The name of the detainee gained notoriety during the arrest of former National Customs Agency Director Petya Bankova for involvement in an organized crime group. Charges were also pressed against former Interior Ministry Secretary General Zhivko Kotsev.

Amid the scandal, State Agency for National Security head Plamen Tonchev described Pascal as a key figure in the production and smuggling of cigarettes.

The investigation in the case involves charges of organized crime, smuggling and bribery.



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