At the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint in Bulgaria—Europe’s frontline against people smuggling—a specialized counter-smuggling operation is underway to intercept inflatable boats destined for Channel crossings. The UK-funded initiative, formalized in February 2023, has equipped Bulgarian authorities with advanced resources including thermal imaging technology, drones, and specialized training.
The operation’s star operative is Adele, an English pointer trained to detect rubber materials from actual boats recovered from British shores. Under the guidance of senior customs inspector Sonia Daneva, Adele systematically searches lorries, coaches, and vehicles at one of the world’s busiest land borders. Smugglers frequently disguise the deflated vessels as inflatable pools, tarpaulins, or other rubber goods to evade detection.
According to National Crime Agency senior manager Simone Alleyne, the smuggling pipeline originates in China, with equipment transiting through Bulgaria before reaching storage points in Germany and France. Despite a 25% reduction in Eastern Mediterranean irregular crossings in 2025, the Channel migration crisis has intensified. Over 39,000 people have reached UK shores via small boats this year—approaching the 2022 peak of 45,774—with increasing numbers per vessel.
Philip Nikolov, head of Kapitan Andreevo Border Customs Police, reported significant successes: 72 boats intercepted this year alone, and 200 seized over the three-year cooperation period. Recent intensified checks in November involved searching over 350 vehicles and detecting multiple illegal border crossing attempts.
The political dimension remains contentious. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp acknowledged interception successes while criticizing the current government’s record on illegal immigration. In response, Minister for Border Security and Alex Norris highlighted a 33% increase in disruption activities and plans to remove migration “pull factors.”