Three British sniffer dogs are now part of the effort to combat smuggling gangs operating at the border between Bulgaria and Turkey, one of the busiest land borders globally.
Luna, a Labrador, Callie, a springer spaniel, and Sprocket, a springer-cocker spaniel mix, have been trained by the National Crime Agency to detect small boat equipment used by trafficking gangs attempting to transport illegal goods into Europe. These dogs specialize in sniffing out the rubber material used in people smugglers’ dinghies that are concealed within trucks.
Building on the success of UK-trained German short-haired pointer Adele, who recently assisted Bulgarian authorities in intercepting 48kg of cocaine, the deployment of these new sniffer dogs aims to enhance border security measures.
During his visit to Sofia, Minister for Europe, Stephen Doughty, announced the collaboration with the Bulgarian Government to strengthen security efforts. Doughty emphasized the importance of joint operations in preventing threats from reaching the UK, citing the interception of 91 boats in the past year alone.
Mr. Doughty highlighted the significance of expanding partnerships with EU countries to enhance security measures and ensure continued growth and safety within the region.
In addition to the deployment of sniffer dogs, the UK has provided drones to assist Bulgarian law enforcement in monitoring illegal migrant crossings through mountainous terrain. The UK has also supplied vehicle scanning equipment to help detect hidden contraband and individuals being trafficked illegally across the border.
As Bulgaria, along with Romania, joined the EU’s Schengen Area in 2025, allowing for free movement of people and goods within Europe, the country remains a crucial entry point into the EU, seizing a significant number of small boats compared to other nations.
The collaboration between the NCA, Home Office International Operations, and various international partners, including Europol, Belgium, France, and Germany, has resulted in the seizure of over 1,000 boats and engines since early 2023, with more than 500 confiscated in 2025 alone.
Kenny Dron, NCA Head of Region, expressed the importance of the partnership with Bulgarian law enforcement in combating serious and organized crime, affirming the shared commitment to disrupting criminal networks and ensuring the security of both countries.
Among the individuals involved in smuggling operations was Hewa Rahimpur, a gang leader jailed in Belgium for 11 years. Rahimpur orchestrated a large-scale human trafficking ring responsible for smuggling thousands of people across the English Channel. Rahimpur, an Iranian Kurd, claimed asylum in the UK in 2016 and established a criminal operation that spanned multiple countries, sourcing equipment for illegal migrant crossings.
The efforts to combat smuggling activities and enhance border security underscore the ongoing cooperation between nations to tackle transnational criminal activities and safeguard regional stability.
