An operation by the General Directorate Combating Organized Crime and the Supreme Cassation Prosecutor's Office has uncovered the largest illegal cigarette factory to date, Radio Stara Zagora of the Bulgarian National Radio has reported.

Over 100 million pieces of cigarettes of various brands were found, as well as a large number of cigarette production machines.

The factory is located in the land of the village of Momkovo in the region of Haskovo. At a briefing in the village of Momkovo, Interior Minister Daniel Mitov said that there were detainees in the operation. According to him, premises where the workers lived, as well as an elevator platform, have been found in the illegal factory. There was also an autonomous system for generating electricity.

The Ministry of Interior has been working on uncovering the illegal cigarette factory for 2 to 3 years, Daniel Mitov said. The market value of the discovered cigarettes exceeds 15 million euros.

Editor: Diana Tsankova

Publication in English: Al. Markov

Photo: BTA