Customs authorities in Bulgaria have uncovered a large-scale drug distribution scheme involving online orders disguised as everyday consumer goods, with more than 1,000 suspicious shipments identified in under two weeks during Operation Hydra, conducted jointly by the Drug Enforcement Directorate, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the Customs Agency.
Officials say the seized parcels contained narcotics hidden inside vapes, candies, cookies, lollipops, and similar products, revealing what they describe as an expanding trend of drug trafficking through e-commerce platforms operating across European countries.
Deputy Sofia City Prosecutor Desislava Petrova stated that investigators intercepted a significant number of shipments in a short timeframe. “During Operation Hydra, a huge number of shipments - 1,050 - with narcotics - dry herb mass, cannabis, vapes, lollipops and other products were seized in a short period of time, sent from European countries via online e-commerce platforms… There are cases in which the delivery was ordered by children and even parents were looking for their children's shipment without knowing what it contained,” she said.
Authorities stress that the investigation is ongoing, with pre-trial proceedings already launched. Petrova also urged parents to pay close attention to what minors are ordering online and the sources they use.
