20.10.2026 14:00
During a customs officers' inspection, 4 million TL was seized in the suitcase of a passenger crossing from Turkey to Bulgaria. While no documents regarding the source of the money, found in eight separate plastic envelopes, could be presented, the cash was confiscated. Administrative proceedings were initiated against the Bulgarian citizen passenger.
Millions of liras were seized in the luggage of a traveler crossing from the Dereköy Border Crossing in Kırklareli into Bulgaria. During a check carried out at Bulgaria's Malko Tarnovo Customs Point, an undeclared 4 million TL hidden in a suitcase was found.
The incident occurred on October 16 at around 22:10. A passenger minibus with Bulgarian license plates entering Bulgaria from Turkey was stopped by customs teams at the checkpoint.
When questioned by customs officers, the driver and passengers in the vehicle said they had no goods or money to declare.
THEY PLACED IT IN 8 SEPARATE ENVELOPES
Following the declaration, customs officers searching the vehicle and the passengers' luggage came across a striking finding in one of the passengers' suitcases.
Inside the suitcase, 8 plastic envelopes containing Turkish lira banknotes in different denominations were detected.
Counting the money in the envelopes determined that the total amount was 4 million TL. It was announced that the seized cash was equivalent to approximately 71,760 euros.
THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION REGARDING THE SOURCE OF THE MONEY
During the customs officers' examination, it emerged that the millions of liras in cash had not been declared to the authorities.
No document regarding the source of the money could be provided either. Thereupon, all of the cash was confiscated.
Administrative proceedings were initiated against the traveler, who was stated to be a Bulgarian citizen, under the country's Currency Act.
WARNING TO THOSE EXCEEDING THE 10,000 EURO LIMIT
Following the incident, the Bulgarian Customs Administration reminded of the rules regarding carrying cash at border crossings.
It was emphasized that when entering and exiting from countries outside the European Union, cash of 10,000 euros or more, or the equivalent in other currencies, must be declared to customs authorities.
While it was stated that the seized 4 million TL was well above this limit, it was reported that administrative proceedings related to the incident are ongoing.