National Customs Agency

During an inspection of a cargo van in the area of Danube Bridge - Vidin BCP, customs officials found undeclared inflatable boats. According to the British authorities, these types of boats are a preferred but very dangerous way of illegally transporting migrants across the Channel. As a result, the National Customs Agency, the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior and the UK's Crime Agency exert increased joint control over their transport.

On 17.10.2024 at around 7:00 p.m. in the area of ​​the "Danube Bridge" - Vidin BCP, customs inspectors stopped for inspection a cargo van with a driver - a Bulgarian citizen traveling to Belgium. The vehicle was selected for inspection, where customs officials noticed two large polythene bags on the trailer, which the driver claimed were tarps. After opening them, the customs inspectors found two folded inflatable boats. When asked if he had documents for them, the driver stated that he did not have any, because it was the luggage of other person - a Turkish citizen, who was supposed to unload in Germany. The vehicle was escorted to the Customs Office - Vidin, where the two rubber boats were detained.