Police find a cannabis farm inside a former zinc mine in Bulgaria

Bulgarian police charged three people and were looking for a fourth after uncovering a cannabis farm inside a disused zinc mine near Garlyano, in Kyustendil province, officials said on 29 April 2026.^[1] The mine lies at the foot of the Osogovo mountain, a few kilometres from the border with North Macedonia.^[1]

The operation began on 23 April and was run by the General Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (GDBOP) with the State Agency for National Security (DANS), under the supervision of the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office.^[2] Investigators found 20 chambers fitted out as cannabis greenhouses, as well as rooms used for living, in the galleries of the former lead-zinc mine.^[3] A fish farm had been built above the mine.^[3]

About 70 kg of drugs, €600,000 in cash and 600 rounds of ammunition had been seized so far, said Emil Borisov, deputy director of GDBOP.^[1] He described the mine as equipped with high-tech infrastructure and said it was probably used for large-scale production intended for trafficking abroad.^[1] Flagman reported that the drugs were destined for Turkey and the Middle East.^[3]

Three suspects were detained at the end of the previous week; all had criminal records, and some had been convicted of drug distribution.^[3] Prosecutors said they were still establishing who owned the mine, and the investigation could take months.^[1][3]