Cocaine worth 5.4 M levs found in Turkey-bound van
Authorities have discovered around 30 kg of cocaine valued at a minimum of 5.4 million levs. It was hidden in a professionally crafted compartment inside a van driven by a 45-year-old Bulgarian man, the Prosecutor's Office announced at a briefing today.
The vehicle entered Bulgaria from Romania via the Danube Bridge at Vidin and was directed to the Kalotina border checkpoint, where an X-ray scan revealed a hidden compartment in the van's floor.
The van was intended to pass through Bulgaria and continue to Turkey. The exact value of the seized drugs will be determined after an expert analysis. The driver faces a prison sentence of 5 to 15 years and a fine of 20,000 to 100,000 levs.
Sofia to introduce Red Zone parking
Sofia is set to introduce a new Red Zone for paid parking as part of a broader traffic reform plan proposed by municipal councilors from WCC-DB and Spasi Sofia. The new zone will cover the historic city center but will be smaller in scope than the existing Blue Zone.
The pricing is still under discussion, with proposals suggesting it could be 4 levs/hour - twice the current rate applied at the Blue Zone, or even higher. The increased cost will not significantly affect the parking permits for those living in the Red Zone. The Red Zone will operate from 9 AM to 9 PM, including Sundays, whereas the Blue Zone currently operates daily from 8 AM to 8 PM, excluding Sundays.
The aim of the higher parking fees is to reduce evening traffic from visitors heading to theaters, cinemas, and restaurants, and encourage greater use of public transport. This, in turn, is expected to free up more parking spaces for residents.
Heating companies request significant price hikes
Heating companies in Sofia, Vratsa, and Veliko Tarnovo have submitted requests for substantial price increases for heating and hot water services, effective July 1. Their proposals have been presented to the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission.
Sofia's district heating company Toplofikatsiya is seeking a 24% price increase that would bring the cost to nearly 159 levs/MWh. Veliko Tarnovo's provider has proposed an almost twofold increase, and the heating utility in Vratsa has requested a 66% hike. In contrast, heating companies in Varna and Sliven are forecasting price reductions for their services, while providers in other regions do not anticipate significant changes compared to the current season.
EWRC is required to make a final decision on the proposals by July 1. However, the commission has historically never approved such steep price hikes, usually only allowing more modest increases.
Cocaine worth 5.4 M levs found in Turkey-bound van
Authorities have discovered around 30 kg of cocaine valued at a minimum of 5.4 million levs. It was hidden in a professionally crafted compartment inside a van driven by a 45-year-old Bulgarian man, the Prosecutor's Office announced at a briefing today.
