Massive Haul of Inflatable Boats Seized at Busy Bulgaria Border
Another Major Catch at Kapitan Andreevo
Customs officers in Bulgaria have cracked down hard on smugglers, seizing 20 huge inflatable boats destined for the Channel crossing trade. Acting on UK intelligence from the National Crime Agency (NCA), Bulgarian National Customs stopped a lorry at the Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint on the night of 10 August.
Each of these eight-metre inflatables can carry 50 to 60 people—though experts warn they are “completely unsuitable for deep-water use.” The truck was heading to the Netherlands when it was stopped. The driver now faces charges for breaching customs rules.
Crackdown on Smuggling Supply Lines Intensifies
This haul comes just weeks after a similar operation on 26 July at the same border, where officials seized 25 comparable boats. Since the start of 2023, authorities at Kapitan Andreevo have confiscated 69 inflatable boats alone. Across Europe, more than 700 boats and engines have been nabbed this year.
Hard-Hitting Investigations in Full Swing
Gill Duggan from 123 International Operations, working with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and HM Revenue & Customs, confirms there are over 90 active probes targeting top smuggling syndicates. The message is clear: law enforcement is closing in on the supply chains fueling illegal Channel crossings.
