LONDON, May 22 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* New sniffer dogs, trained handlers and specialist equipment provided by UK Governmentto intercept more small boat supplies and illegal narcotics before they reach the UK * Joint operations between the UK National Crime Agency and Bulgarian authorities saw 91 small boats and six engines intercepted in Bulgaria in 2025. * The new dogs build on the success of the UK-supported detection dog Adele, who intercepted 48kg of cocaine at Bulgaria's southern border last week.

The UKis expanding itscooperationwith the new Bulgarian Governmentto combat organisedmigrationcrime, helping toprotect Europe's bordersfrom the impact of smuggling gangs.

The new support was announced by Minister for Europe,Stephen Doughty,during meetings in Sofia with the new Bulgarian Government which took up office last week.

From September,threenew snifferdogs will bedeployedin frontline border operationstodetectand interceptsmall boatequipmentandother smuggled goods,increasing coverage at priority border crossings and strengthening Europeanresilience against evolving smuggling tactics.

The new dogs will build on the success of the UK-supported detection dog Adele, who supported Bulgarian law enforcementto intercept 48kg of cocaine at their southern border last week.

With its southern border one of the busiest entry points into the EU, Bulgaria already seizes more small boats than any other country. Alongside Romania,theBalkancountrybecamethe most recent stateto join the EU's SchengenArea in 2025,which allows people and goods to move freely through the zonewithoutinternalborder checks.

UK Minister of State, Stephen Doughty said:

Ourcooperation with Bulgariais deliveringreal results, stopping threats long before they reach the UK. Last year alone, our joint work intercepted 91 boats, with the potential to transport thousands of people in dangerous journeys across the Channel.

That'swhyI'min Sofia,toexpand that partnership and ensure European security remains at the heart of our work with the new Bulgarian government. Building a closer relationship with the EU is a priority for this government, as stronger partnerships with EU countries means greater security and growth at home.

While in Sofia, Minister Doughtysaw first-hand the work of the Bulgarian law enforcement effort. Alongside sniffer dogs, the UK has provided drones totrack illegal migrants crossing through Bulgaria's mountainous terrain, and endoscopes and vehicle scanning equipment to uncover concealed contrabandand people illegally trafficked in vehicles crossing the border.

TheUK'sinternationalsupportfocuses onearly prevention and disruption,breaking criminal supply chains and strengthening borders long before threats reach the UK.

The bolstering of supplies on the Bulgarian border follows events last week in Moldova, where Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper secured agreement from 46 European partners on critical reforms to modernise how the ECHR handles migration cases, strengthening the UK's ability to take firm action on border security.

The NCA, alongside Home Office International Operations, works with a range of international partners to seize small boat equipment, including Europol, Bulgaria, Belgium,Franceand Germany.Thisjointworkhasseen more than 1,000 boats and engines seized since early 2023, preventing them from reaching criminal hands and eating into the criminal profits of organised crimes groups.More than 500 of these were seized in 2025 alone.

This crucial work ispart of the UK government's drive to cement stronger relationships with the EU, and the UK's whole-of-route approach tostopping small boats making it to the Channel, undermining the vile business network of criminalgangsand saving lives.

National Crime Agency Head of Region, Kenny Dron, said:

Bulgaria is a key partner for the NCA in tackling a range of threats from serious and organised crime, and we have an extremely positive relationship with our law enforcement colleagues there, regularly sharing intelligence and mounting joint operations.

I'm delighted we are able to expand our work with them, and the deployment of these new dogs will further increase our ability to disrupt the criminal networks threatening the security of both of our nations.

Background:

The three additional sniffer dogs currently being trained in the UK are a labrador named LUNA, a springer spaniel named CALLIE, and springer/cocker spaniel cross named SPROCKIT.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.