The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has issued a stern warning to all Bulgarians about the risk, dangers and harsh punishments facing those involved in international drug smuggling.
An increase of cases in which Bulgarians have been apprehended in Latin and South America, Asia and across Europe has prompted the warning in an attempt to curb drug trafficking, a Foreign Ministry press release announced on October 14, 2009.

There are more than 300 Bulgarian nationals currently serving time in Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, Italy, France and a number of other countries, in Europe, South America and elsewhere. Some of them face particularly tough sentences, the report said.

The ministry also wanted to stress the fact that in some countries around the world, such as Singapore, as well as Iran and other predominantly Muslim countries, a drug trafficking conviction usually brings with it a death sentence.

Most Bulgarians involved in drug smuggling come from deprived backgrounds. They are usually disenfranchised, socially rejected, devoid of education and opportunities, victims of blackmail or members of drug cartels and mafia-like organizations. Sometimes they feel they have little choice but to risk their freedom for the benefit of criminal groups, the report said.

Nick Iliev

This is an edited version of an article which originally appeared in The Sofia Echo