Bulgaria Helps Britain Stop Illegal Immigration by Seizing Boats Used for Channel Crossings

Bulgaria is playing a key role in helping Britain tackle the ongoing immigration crisis by intercepting boats used to traffick people across the English Channel.

Since the beginning of the year, Bulgarian customs officers at the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint have seized nearly 70 inflatable dinghies. These boats are made by Turkish companies, often disassembled into multiple shipments to avoid detection.

Diana Markova, spokesperson for the Bulgarian Customs Agency, confirmed the link between the boats and criminal organizations involved in illegal migrant trafficking across the Channel, reported The Express.

“It has been established that such boats are used by criminal organizations involved in illegal migrant trafficking across the English Channel,” she said.

This is the second consecutive year that Bulgarian customs officers, at Britain’s request, have focused on tackling the issue of inflatable boats at the Turkish border. In total, nearly 200 dinghies have been intercepted in trucks since the initiative began. Just days ago, 20 boats were found in a Turkish truck, which had been declared as carrying legitimate goods.

Krasimir Chapkanov, head of the operational unit at Kapitan Andreevo, described how the latest seizure unfolded. “After opening the truck, we found two pallets with 20 large packages each, declared as tarpaulins. After opening the first package, we discovered inflatable rubber boats with rigid sides and reinforced bottoms.”

The boats are often labelled as tarpaulins, allowing them to pass undetected by X-ray scanners. The engines for the boats are also shipped separately to further avoid detection. “They have no documents, no certificates, no warranties. They are made solely for this purpose,” Chapkanov added.

The effort is supported by specialist training and new equipment provided by Britain, who has funded Bulgaria’s efforts to seize the boats. Markova highlighted the importance of this support, saying, “In addition, we received a grant of 600,000 lev (£265,000) in equipment – tools, endoscopes, gas analysers, and lifting gear.”

The cooperation between the two countries has already had a significant impact. It is estimated that at least 6,100 migrant lives have been saved, and organised crime groups have lost £15.5 million due to the disruption of their trafficking operations.