SELEC

We re-launched a three-offer method procedure for contracting a renewal for VMware vSphere Standard license.

The deadline for receiving offers is 18 of September 2026.

If you are interested to participate in this procurement procedure please follow the link below for the announcement:

www.selec.org

A transnational criminal organization involved in transporting large quantities of raw cannabis from Albania to Türkiye via Greece was dismantled.

The investigation was preceded by the appropriate assessment of intelligence concerning the organization’s activities, through operational meetings and information exchange supported by SELEC.

Following police actions, verification and cross-checking of information, more than 324 kilograms of raw cannabis were seized, carefully concealed in a load of paper for recycling.

Two members of the criminal organization were arrested in Greece and one in Republic of North Macedonia.

For details, please visit : https://www.selec.org/more-than-300-kg-of-raw-cannabis-seized-following-a-joint-operation-supported-by-selec/

Mr. Chavdar Georgiev, Director for Operations, represented SELEC at the 3rd Annual International Scientific Conference, hosted by the Academy of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria.

The forum gathered academic community, European law enforcement agencies and various units of the Ministry of Interior to address AI in law enforcement and emerging technological challenges in modern policing. The working program, opened by Deputy Rector of the Academy, Commissioner Prof. Ilin Savov, PhD, DSc, focused on: countering 3D-printed fi****ms threats and Advanced 3D Crime-Scene Reconstruction using NeRF and Gaussian Splatting.

During his presentation, Mr. Georgiev highlighted SELEC's vital role in fostering regional law enforcement cooperation against organized and cybercrime while exploring future partnerships to integrate new technologies applicable to criminal investigations.

International Day of Police Cooperation
Together Against Transnational Crime

On the International Day of Police Cooperation, we, at SELEC, celebrate the power of partnership, trust and solidarity.

In a world where challenges do not stop at borders, cooperation is not just an option — it is our greatest strength.

For SELEC, our Member States and operational partners, meaningful cooperation means:

• Connecting law enforcement communities.
• Sharing critical information in real time.
• Strengthening the capacity of our forces.
• Working across borders to prevent and fight transnational crime.

Every connection matters. Every piece of information shared can make a difference. And every partnership built on trust brings us closer to our shared goal: a safer and more secure Southeast Europe.

"When safety is the goal, borders won't stand in our way."

We launched a three-offer method procedure for contracting a renewal for VMware vSphere Standard license.

The deadline for receiving offers is 13 of August 2026.

If you are interested to participate in this procurement procedure please follow the link below for the announcement terms.

Link:

www.selec.org

Major migrant smuggling network dismantled following SELEC-coordinated international investigation

Law enforcement authorities from Bulgaria, Greece and Romania, working under the coordination of SELEC, successfully concluded a joint international investigation that resulted in the dismantling of a major migrant smuggling network operating in Northern Greece.
The coordinated investigation led to the arrest of several suspects (mainly Egyptian and Syrian nationals) involved in organizing and facilitating the illegal transportation of migrants, predominantly Egyptian nationals, along the Eastern Mediterranean/Balkan route, transiting through Türkiye, Greece, Bulgaria and Romania before reaching Western Europe.
The investigation established that the criminal organization was very active, carrying out at least twelve (12) migrant smuggling operations since February 2026. For each migrant transported, the network charged between €2,000 and €6,500, generating an estimated illicit profit of more than €300,000.
The criminal proceedings are ongoing.

Link : https://www.selec.org/major-migrant-smuggling-network-dismantled-following-selec-coordinated-international-investigation/

On 7–8 July 2026, we hosted the Environmental Crime Task Force meeting organized in cooperation with -ISF Project and chaired by Pol. Major Gergely Imre, Hungary's National Bureau of Investigation, Environmental Crime Unit.

The meeting brought together investigators and experts from all 11 SELEC Member States, alongside representatives from France, Spain, Italy, EnviCrimeNet, TRAFFIC and UNODC, to strengthen regional cooperation against environmental crime.

Participants exchanged national updates, presented cross-border case studies and discussed emerging trends related to waste trafficking, wildlife crime and pollution offences. Discussions also focused on improving information exchange through SELEC's secure communication channels and identifying opportunities for joint operational activities.

The meeting concluded with agreement on follow-up actions to enhance intelligence sharing, strengthen cooperation with international partners and support coordinated efforts to combat environmental crime across Southeast Europe.

SELEC thanks FIAP and the Hungarian National Bureau of Investigation (Magyar Rendőrség) for their support in organizing the meeting.

SELEC’s Director for Operations, Mr. Chavdar Georgiev, represented SELEC at the Conference of the Ministers of Interior of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), held on 29–30 June 2026, in Sofia, under the 2026 Bulgarian Presidency.

The Conference, hosted by H.E Mr. Ivan Demerdzhiev, Minister of Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria, marked the 15th anniversary of the EUSDR and brought together Ministers from the 14 Danube countries, representatives of the European Commission, the Danube Strategy Point, and key security partners.

The Ministers reaffirmed that the current security environment is characterised by increasing complexity and evolving hybrid threats. They also welcomed the involvement of Europol and SELEC in the work of Priority Area 11 – Security, recognising it as a positive contribution that brings added value to regional cooperation.

During the Working Session on Countering Cybercrime and Ensuring Cybersecurity, Mr. Georgiev stressed that regional challenges require regional responses and reaffirmed SELEC’s readiness to contribute to countering cyber and hybrid threats in the Danube Region.



Link: https://www.selec.org/selec-participates-in-eusdr-ministers-of-interior-conference-in-sofia/

The hybrid meeting of the SELEC Financial and Computer Crime Task Force (FCCTF) took place in Skopje, on 23 June 2026, under the coordination of the Republic of North Macedonia (Министерство за внатрешни работи / Мinistria e Punëve të Brendshme).

Participants included representatives of police, customs, and prosecution services from SELEC Member States: and Operational Partners.

During the meeting, experts from SELEC Member States and Operational Partners reviewed and updated the regional threat assessment of financial and computer crime in Southeast Europe; highlighted cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence as emerging challenges for investigations, asset tracing, and the collection of digital evidence; shared good practices and case studies from joint investigations; and agreed on future actions and operational priorities for 2026–2027.

The meeting concluded with agreement on practical follow-up actions, including enhanced information exchange concerning virtual assets, the development of capacity-building initiatives, and the implementation of regional operational activities.

Link: https://www.selec.org/financial-and-computer-crime-task-force-meeting-hosted-by-the-republic-of-north-macedonia/

A network for skimming and cloning fuel cards used in European retail chains has been neutralized in a joint operation of the Bulgarian and Romanian law enforcement authorities; a financial fraud worth thousands of euros related to refueling through manipulated payment instruments being revealed.

The joint investigation, codenamed 'JI SECURE PAY', has been conducted since mid-last year under the coordination of .

According to the investigation, in the period April 2025 – February 2026, the members of the organized crime group have installed skimming devices at self-service petrol stations in Romania and other European Union countries.

The copied data from the fuel cards was used to create fake payment instruments, the illegal activity causing significant financial damage to citizens and companies.

In Bulgaria, two individuals were detained in an operation carried out on 18 June 2026 in pursuance of a European Investigation Order issued by the Romanian authorities. During the actions, searches were carried out at five addresses and one car on the territory of Sofia and Yambol. Two other members of the criminal group have already been detained and handed over to Romanian authorities in March.

Joint operational activities are still ongoing in this case.

Link: https://www.selec.org/organized-crime-group-dealing-with-skimming-dismantled/