Shock in Europe! DR Congo Diplomat Caught Smuggling €22M Worth of Cocaine in Shocking Van Operation

In a surprising event that has shocked Europe and Africa, Bulgarian authorities have arrested three people after finding a large amount of cocaine hidden inside a van. One of those arrested is a diplomat from the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

The van was traveling from Belgium to Turkey and had Belgian number plates. It was stopped by customs officers at the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing in Bulgaria. This is one of the busiest border points in the country. 

During the inspection, a sniffer dog noticed something unusual. The dog led officers to five suitcases inside the van. When the suitcases were opened, the officers found 179 sealed bags. 

Inside the bags was nearly 206 kilograms (453 pounds) of cocaine. This is the biggest amount of cocaine ever seized at a land border in Bulgaria. Authorities say the drugs are worth around 20 million euros (about 22 million US dollars). 

Bulgarian officials said the van was driven by a 43-year-old Bulgarian man. Alongside him were two passengers: a 40-year-old man from the Democratic Republic of Congo who holds diplomatic status in Belgium, and a 54-year-old woman who is a Belgian citizen. 

The three were immediately arrested. Prosecutors say if they are found guilty, they could face up to 20 years in prison for drug trafficking. 

Ivan Stoyanov, the district prosecutor from Haskovo, told reporters about the case. He confirmed the diplomat from Congo is officially registered in Belgium. The Bulgarian driver and the Belgian woman are also under serious investigation. 

This drug seizure happened during a special police operation called “Orient Express.” Authorities say this operation is meant to stop illegal smuggling through Bulgaria’s borders. 

So far, neither the Embassy of DR Congo in Belgium nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in DR Congo has commented on the arrest of their diplomat. 

The case is now under investigation by Bulgarian authorities along with law enforcement from other European Union countries. They want to know where the cocaine came from and who was supposed to receive it. 

Bulgaria is known as a key stop on the so-called “Balkan Route.” This route is often used to transport drugs from Asia and Latin America to Western Europe. 

Authorities believe the cocaine may have come from Latin America and was going to be sold in other European or Middle Eastern countries after reaching Turkey. 

Officials from Bulgaria’s customs agency said this is one of the biggest victories in their fight against international drug trafficking. 

The news shocked many people because it involves a diplomat, someone who is supposed to represent their country legally and with dignity. 

The diplomatic status of the man from Congo does not protect him from being investigated and possibly prosecuted in Bulgaria. Authorities say that diplomatic immunity does not cover drug crimes of this size. 

Photos from the scene showed security officers, drug sniffer dogs, and several suitcases filled with cocaine packages. The press was also present, as the news conference happened at the border itself. 

Two Bulgarian government ministers, top police officials, and immigration officers were present during the announcement. 

The case is now drawing international attention. It raises serious questions about how drugs are being moved across Europe, and how criminals may be using diplomats and diplomatic vehicles to avoid inspections. 

Experts say that smugglers sometimes use official-looking vehicles and documents to avoid being stopped. But this case shows that even high-ranking individuals can be caught. 

The Bulgarian authorities have promised to work closely with EU partners to stop more drugs from entering Europe through their land borders. 

Many are now waiting to see what will happen next in this case. Will the suspects go on trial in Bulgaria? Will there be diplomatic tensions between DR Congo and Bulgaria? 

As of now, the three suspects are still in custody. Investigators are checking phone records, travel histories, and possible links to drug gangs. 

If proven guilty, the diplomat from Congo and the other two may spend decades behind bars, a huge fall from grace, especially for a person meant to uphold the law. 

This story is a reminder that drug trafficking is a global problem. It affects people in Africa, Europe, and everywhere in between.