The truffle master: Drugs, arson, VAT fraud and… Ginka Varbakova

The authorities, represented by the Ministry of Interior and the Prosecutor’s Office,
announced
that they have discovered an organized criminal group that has been laundering money from criminal means generated by tax crimes with truffles. According to the state prosecution, 50m euros were laundered in six months. left. They were “earned” by mock truffle picking and simulation of trading them. The VAT due to the state is 12m euros. left. In July alone, the state was harmed by about a million leva, the Appellate Prosecutor’s Office in Plovdiv announced. A 47-year-old man from Pazardzhik was named as the leader of the group. An investigation by BIRD reveals that it is
Ivan Georgiev Lulchev
. He became famous ten years ago as the owner of a greenhouse where tenant Danail Borisov grew marijuana. Borisov was convicted of illegal activity. He had business relations with the infamous Ginka Varbakova.

Our team has been working on Lulchev’s case for more than 3 years. Our attention was attracted by the dozens of arson attacks on cars and properties in Pazardzhik. Including those owned by employees of the security and public order services. Our team sent a drunken under the Access to Public Information Act (APIA) to the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior in Pazardzhik as early as 2021 to find out exactly how many deliberate arson there are on the territory of the regional directorate. Thus, we learned that for the period from January 2015 to December 2019, “93 pcs. crimes under art. 330 of the Penal Code”, i.e. 93 deliberate arson in 5 years and “159 pcs. crimes under art. 31 of the Penal Code” – that is, fires by negligence. From January 2020 to the end of the year of the year, 19 deliberate arson and 27 were registered on the territory of the regional directorate through negligence. The regional directorate did not report a tendency for an increase in arson, but did not take into account the detection of intentional attacks. A curious detail is that in some of the cases with indications of deliberate arson from the Ministry of Interior claim self-immolation. According to forensic scientists, on December 12, 2020, a diesel “Ford Couga” set itself on fire and burned after a short circuit. This is a very typical situation on a hot December night. The hypothesis of the Ministry of Interior hardly corresponds to the facts and reality. The conclusion appears to be “sweeping the case under the carpet” or attempting to manipulate statistics.

While meeting with the victims of arson, we learned about the functioning of the “truffle scheme”. However, it is far from the only reason to burn cars and properties in Pazardzhik.

“The Truffle Scheme”

Although prosecutors say the “truffle scheme” has been operated for two years, it has probably been in operation for at least 5. According to documents from Bulgaria, truffles were transported abroad, and in fact, the cars that allegedly transported the mushrooms, crossed the state border without goods, reached their final destination in Prague – the Czech Republic, immediately returned to Bulgaria with large sums of money.

“The profit” was deposited in UniCredit Bulbank in the name of
Anastas Petrov Uchkunov
from Cave. The man, according to the bird.bg register, is associated with more than 60 companies that owe dozens of companies together. Millions to fisc. Investigators believe that with the fictitious export the Lulchev group has drained VAT. In a special press conference, the Appellate Prosecutor’s Office in Plovdiv made it clear that the group had used an umbrella from the institutions of Pazardzhik. Various victims of the group’s activities testify that it has benefited from protections from prosecutors from the Pazardzhik Municipal Administration, former and current employees of the Ministry of Interior, the State Agency for National Security (DANS) and other state bodies. The former Director of the Regional Inspectorate for Combating Organized Crime in Pazardzhik Georgi Stoychev is cited as an intermediary between the institutions and the group. Grozdanov. The latter turned out to be the reason for the illegal wiretapping of investigators Boyko Atanasov and Radiana Abdulova. The investigation against them began as a retaliatory measure because of the investigation against Georgi Grozdanov and his deputy Viktor Kozhuharov.

By decision 1718/13.10.2003 of the Pazardzhik District Court the ex-wife of Ivan Lulchev –
Nina
Angelova Lulcheva (then current) was deleted as manager of Bulfruit EOOD with UIC 112580868. After transferring the shares of the company as sole owner and manager Danail Pavlov was registered Borisov. In 2005, Bulfruit Ltd. was identified by the NRA as a “risky” company and was deregistered for VAT. On the other hand, Danail Pavlov
Borisov
is a connecting person between Ivan Lulchev and Ginka
Varbakova
.

The candidate the buyer of CEZ Bulgaria transfers to Danail Borisov the company “CG Group”

. For his part, Borisov’s lawyer – Ivo Lulchev, Ivan’s cousin, Highlights publicly its proximity to the Varbakovi family. Similar to most of the others over
40
companies that Borisov owns, CG Group also has hundreds of thousands of debts to the fisc, probably accumulated while the company is owned by Ginka Varbakova.

Until his separation from Ivan Lulchev, his ex-wife Nina worked for “Desa Lux”,

owned by Dimitar Georgiev Petrov

– another owner of more than 10 companies, most of which hopelessly indebted to the NRA. Currently, “Deza Lux” owes the NRA BGN 8,323,903.84. As of 2018, the company is also indebted, but nevertheless makes purchases from Germany, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic of a precious commodity – truffles. In the Czech Republic, mushrooms are purchased by Absowin, Amazon and Sdenek Danicek. Then “Desa Lux” declares that they sell the extra quality truffles to “Assemar“. The company is owned by the already mentioned Anastas Uchkunov and owes the NRA BGN 1,806,814.79. According to data as of the end of September this year.

Another “buyer” of the aromatic mushrooms is “
Telepov Trans Logistic”
. The company has liabilities to the NRA amounting to BGN 6,538,603.10. According to data as of September 30. The owner of the bogged down company is Angel Kirilov Telepov – a proud owner of at least 14 companies, most with dizzying obligations. As a partner of Lulchev in the alleged criminal activity witnesses point to Ivaylo Kanev
Papazov
, who is
related
to Danail Borisov in “
Force Liz”
and with Atanas Uchkunov. Participants in the scheme, whose identity we will hide for now, tell of close ties between Lulchev and the economic police. Intimate partners of employees in the unit were provided in the attics in the “hollow” companies associated with Ivan Lulchev. Sources tell us that this happened without the ladies being engaged in any work activity. A source from the National Revenue Agency alerted that their employees had sought assistance in connection with Lulchev’s case from the Economic Police Sector in the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior in Pazardzhik, in practice they were refused. They tried to find out if there really is a truffle farm owned by Ivan and Nina Lulchevi. According to participants in the scheme, there is simply no such farm.

Arson in Pazardzhik, nowhere between racketeering and “aria of jealousy”

Our team met a dozen of the injured as a result of arson, for which Ivan Lulchev is suspected as a guarantor. Victims cite different motives for aggression. Some claim that their cars and properties burned as a vigilante because of damaged interests in the construction or other business. Others announced that their arson was in connection with investigations against Lulchev. The only one who stood with his face in front of a camera and told about the arson of his car and the threats from Lulchev is Victor Havalev – a distant cousin of Arben Havalyov. He has lived in Dublin for years and works as a mechanic. Although he graduated in national security at the UNWE, he has not considered a career in serving for a long time. He plans to return to Bulgaria someday and open his own workshop.

Khavalev claims that Lulchev set fire to his BMW 7 series, then waited for him while he had a meeting with the third party and told him that he would set fire to all his property and ruin it. His car caught fire on May 28, 2020, at about 3:20 a.m. The reason was the arson and the threats were Lulchev’s suspicion that Havaliov was in a relationship with Nina Lulchevi, with whom at that time Ivan Lulchev was in a de facto separation and divorce. From the records available to bird.bg it appears that Angel Peev He tried to mediate to resolve the conflict between Lulchev and Khavalyov. Peev is one of the Leaders trade in and trafficking in cultural goods. On the other hand, Peev has been in a long-standing conflict with Georgi Grozdanov, who in turn is considered very close to Lulchev.

Again from the same recordings it becomes clear that Danail Borisov – the face with
the greenhouse
Marijuana, whose companies are coming out in the truffle scheme, is suspected by the victims as a physical participant arson. Khavalev also suspects that Borisov was involved in the arson of his BMW. Bird.bg has recordings of conversations with participants from Ivan Lulchev’s group. In one such from the summer of 2020, it is commented that Daniel is very cowardly, but he did everything Lulchev told him. It was his “screen” in the pawnshop, and Lulchev had made him 5-6 companies.

He was released from prison last year in January 2019. Because of marijuana. He took over, I don’t know if you know, Peyo and I play. (probably Peyo Iliev
Tachev
, a fat
businessman
from Pazardzhik) Danail took over everything, no one gave away – 6, 7 people because of Ivan. Then Ivan supported him in prison for 5-6 years. Every 15th day he sent him 300 leva.

Lulchev’s relations with the authorities

In another conversation, it is stated that the head of the group Lulchev paid the former administrative head of the regional prosecutor’s office in Pazardzhik.

– Katsarov is paying! Maybe to another (prosecutor), but Katsarov is paid! When they caught marijuana, if it wasn’t for Katsarov, he wouldn’t have been saved. You gave him so much money to get rid of him…

We contacted for comment prosecutor Georgi Katsarov, who is currently a prosecutor at the Pazardzhik District Prosecutor’s Office. According to media reports, Georgi Katsarov submitted resignation as administrative head of the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Pazardzhik under pressure from Sotir Tsatsarov. Katsarov is among the most zealous Defenders of Grozdanov and Kozhuharov, after their detention in 2010. According to media reports, Katsarov is also close to Convict For tax evasion former mayor of the city. September – Marin Rachev. One of the accusations against Grozdanov in 2010 was that he pressured Rachev’s competitors to give him an advantage on the market.

Georgi Katsarov’s car is
on fire
in 2015, and a few months later, already in 2016, that of prosecutor Vaska Naskova. The two are said to have had a close relationship. Ivan was arrested and charged with arson. Pea – Peas. According to sources close to the investigation, there are some doubts that he was the perpetrator of the arson and it is possible that the crime was “sewn”. Since Grahov apparently works as a mercenary, if he is a perpetrator, it is also unclear whether there was a guarantor. Subsequently, Grahov was convicted and imprisoned, but for another, far more serious crime – homicide. According to one of the hypotheses, Ivan Lulchev is related to the arson of the magistrates’ cars. If we credit with confidence the words of people his entourage for payments to Katsarov, this means that his relations with the prosecutor were at ebb and flow and in 2015 – 2016 they were at a low point. With the arson of Katsarov’s car, a series of arson of cars and properties in Pazardzhik began, but the prosecutor said he was not informed on the subject.

I don’t keep statistics, and I don’t have that right. My car was really on fire and the perpetrator was found if that’s what you’re interested in.

– And does he have a connection with Mr. Lulchev, who was detained as an organizer of the OCG?

– How do I know if there is a connection, if not, I am not an investigative body. This guy who started my car is currently in jail is serving a prison sentence (but for another crime)

What do you have with Mr. Lulchev?

– None.

– We have records in which the thesis is articulated that you took money from him.

– And great, let’s see these recordings! I want to hear them!

Will you comment on this thesis?

– Not naturally! How!

Our team will not publish the recordings at this stage as sound files to protect the identity of people who reveal details about Lulchev’s activities and testify to corruption. These records would be provided to the relevant investigative bodies working on the Lulchev case if they requested them in the appropriate order described in the PPC.

Ironically, the investigating policeman in Khavalev’s case is Tanya Katsarova – sister of the same former regional prosecutor of Pazardzhik Georgi Katsarov. It’s probably no surprise that his case has reached a dead end.

After the arson of the magistrates’ cars in 2015 and 2016, the car of the director of the Pazardzhik Police Precinct Nenko Godzhevargov was burned. This is the third landmark arson in about a year, but it is never revealed who and why attacked his vehicle and whether there is a connection with the other two arsons. Before heading the regional department, Nenko Godzhevorgov was a scout in the Criminal Police Sector at the Regional Police Department in Pazardzhik, where he had direct monitoring of Lulchev’s activities. He is an inspector in

Traffic Police Sector at the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior-Pazardzhik.

Shortly after the first arson, Lulchev was investigated in connection with a scheme for the import and registration of stolen cars from Western Europe and subsequent exports to Asia. In 2018, the Ministry of Interior in Pazardzhik made a realization by detaining about 10 stolen luxury vehicles with established owners living in EU countries. The cars are mainly from Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. One of the cars was driven by Nina Lulcheva. The former director of the Regional Inspectorate for Combating Organized Crime in Pazardzhik, Georgi Grozdanov, was removed from another illegally seized vehicle on February 14, 2018. Pre-trial proceedings were initiated in the case 15/2017 on the inventory of the already closed Specialized Prosecutor’s Office. Production continues today, but in the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office. In another recording, a person from Lulchev’s entourage, it is commented that the owner of the pawnshop uses the services of Grozdanov as a “consultant”.

– He pays him Grozdanov to give him information

The participant in the group claims that no one likes the former head of the RZBOP, but he had a lot of information and was “the ears of many people”. Lulchev was on a monthly “subscription” with him.

In connection with the arson of the car of a woman whose house Lulchev wanted to buy, he was warned by Grozdanov on December 23 (unknown to us year) that “tomorrow at 2 o’clock on 24 they will come to your house for a search.” However, no evidence was found, and he admitted nothing. He then convicted the Interior Ministry of this detention.

After this realization of the channel for stolen cars, the problems for the then head of the “Highway Police” in the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior in Pazardzhik – Atanas Shinikov began

. He confirmed to bird.bg that since the beginning of 2018, two of his cars have been set on fire, the car of the woman with whom he lives on a family basis and the car of his brother, who is a high school teacher. To top it off, his apartment in Pazardzhik and his father’s window were set on fire. In a series of signals, he blames Lulchev for the arson.

Another who blames Ivan Lulchev for arson is Kiril Marinkov – Kiro Lozenetsa. Days before Lulchev’s arrest, Marinkov visited the Ministry of Interior to testify under schemes with which, in his words, Lulchev was connected. Days after the visit, he was beaten with pipes in front of his home. His skull was cracked and his leg was broken in several places. Employee of the
The State Automobile Insurance Agency
from Pazardzhik, whose cars were set on fire, also suspects that Lulchev is involved in the arson of his property.

We contacted Georgi Grozdanov for comment on his relationship with the detained Lulchev. He said they were just familiar.

– What are we supposed to be? What do you care?

Subsequently, Grozdanov added: “I know Lulchev’s ex-wife, children, mother, father, father is from my village. I know these people.” From his words he gets the impression that they are more than familiar.

In the conversation, Grozdanov, who is mentioned in several publications of Bivol, because of the illegal wiretapping of Boyko Atanasov and Radiana
Abdulova
He said that when he was detained in 2010, no drugs were found in his safe. They were found in that of his deputy Viktor Kozhuharov and were in minimal quantity. The man also said that he was illegally bugged then, like Atanasov, but it turned out that there was no ruling by a competent authority to confirm that his words were true. The former anti-mafia believes that the permission to operate SSDs in relation to him and his colleagues is illegal because it was given by the chairman of the Sofia City Court (then Svetlin Mihaylov) and not by the chairman of the General Assembly in Pazardzhik. Our team does not share this thesis, as the UDA functioning as of 2010 refers to permission from a chairman of the Sofia City Court or a district court. The man does not hide that he is not fascinated, that he was contacted for comment on the topic “Lulchev”.

– I do not know who is directing you now, probably a person from this group, once upon a time.

Grozdanov declined to comment on the accusations against Lulchev for the guarantee of the many arson attacks in Pazardzhik and other cities.

– Commenting on my close acquaintances is so frivolous and funny that…

When we asked what he thought about the alleged claims of the appellate prosecutor’s office in Plovdiv that Lulchev’s group was patronized by high-level police and magistrates, Grozdanov made an arrangement that he was no longer a policeman.

“Hey, when you ask me about the arsons, I’ll tell you that the person who used it to form the case against me is involved in all the arsons.

– Who are you looking at?

– Shinikov. Atanas Shinikov.

– How’s he involved?

– Well, as far as I understand, you ask me about the arson in his environment.

– They’re not in his circle, they’re a lot more.

– I think you ask me about the arson attacks in his circle, because he walks, here in front of colleagues in the police, in Sofia, to justify personal relationships with other people says that because he once worked, conscientious employee, now I use my influence on some people to make nasty happen to him in life. But not me, in the police to come and ask here, they have come to… Some data they have and are aware that this cannot be a motive.

– Leave him Shinikov, there are 8 arsons, and we’re talking about over 20.

– Look, I have no idea how much arson there is, I know what’s being said about me. So, since you ask me, I think someone has urged you… The arson could be 20, it could be 50, it could be 50. I’m not in the police, I don’t have statistics. I didn’t participate in them to know how many. Do you understand?

In what direction Lulchev’s case will develop, we can only guess, but our investigation, which lasted more than 3 years, largely confirms the theses of the Appellate Prosecutor’s Office in Plovdiv that Lulchev’s group is prosperous because of the corruption schemes he implements in the Ministry of Interior and the Prosecutor’s Office.

***

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Отговорът е: Финансира се от журналистическо чекмедже, в което читателите оставят по нещо, ако им е харесало съдържанието.

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