Two Moldovan nationals, 39 and 48, who also hold Bulgarian citizenship, were arrested in Bulgaria on charges of growing and selling cannabis on a large scale.

Prosecutors told a press conference in Chisinau the suspects are part of a transnational ring that grew the illegal drug in Bulgaria and then distributed it in other European Union countries.

An investigation that lasted several months revealed that the cannabis plants were grown in special conditions to achieve a more potent psychotropic effect. The police seized tens of kilograms of the stuff with a black market value equal to 1.3 million lei.

The ring also included Bulgarians, but the core consisted of Moldovan nationals who also hold Bulgarian or Romanian citizenship. They operated from a Bulgarian city, where they ran a cannabis farm in house. They also had a vehicle with a special cache.

The operation continues to find all the accomplices. The suspects, who are prosecuted in Bulgaria, face from 5 to 15 years in prison.