Sofia, Bulgaria — Evelin Banev, infamously known as “Brendo” and internationally sought after for drug trafficking, surrendered voluntarily to Bulgarian authorities early this morning.
Banev’s surrender marks the end of a six-year international manhunt that spanned multiple countries and involved numerous law enforcement agencies.
According to the Bulgarian National Television (BNT), Banev arrived at Sofia Central Prison around 7:30 a.m., accompanied by his lawyer. His lawyer confirmed that Banev was turning himself in to serve his prison sentence.
This development follows Banev’s conviction in Bulgaria in 2018 for money laundering, for which he was sentenced to six years in prison. Additionally, Banev faces substantial sentences in Romania and Italy, further complicating his legal predicament.
Evelin Banev had been on the run since 2018, when Bulgarian authorities issued an international arrest warrant after he failed to report to his registered address for incarceration.
His criminal activities have left a significant mark across Europe, leading to a 10-year sentence in Romania for drug trafficking and a 20-year sentence in Italy as part of the “Cocaine Kings” scandal.
In 2021, Ukrainian police found Banev living in a rented house near Kyiv. Reports indicate that he was using foreign documents to mask his identity.
The discovery also revealed a drug laboratory at the location, underscoring the extent of his criminal operations. Despite these findings, Banev managed to evade extradition due to his Ukrainian citizenship, which prohibits the extradition of its citizens under the country’s constitution.
Banev’s name has been synonymous with caution and elusiveness. In 2012, he was among 30 individuals arrested during the “Cocaine Kings” international operation, yet he managed to escape the grasp of the justice system repeatedly by utilizing multiple identities and extensive networks.
The Bulgarian Ministry of the Interior has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Banev’s return to the country. Atanas Ilkov, head of the national police, stated that a comprehensive analysis is required to determine how Banev managed to re-enter Bulgaria undetected.
“We are actively working to understand the details of his return. It will take time to analyze all available data and the ongoing search efforts over the past six years,” Ilkov mentioned through the Ministry’s press center.
The public has been closely following Banev’s criminal saga, which began with his involvement in an organized criminal group operating between 2002 and 2005.
The group orchestrated financial transactions across Bulgaria, Great Britain, the British Virgin Islands, Switzerland, and Austria using funds acquired through drug trafficking.
This network facilitated Banev’s rise in the criminal underworld, leading to his eventual capture and multiple convictions.
Today’s events mark a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for Banev’s numerous crimes. The authorities’ immediate focus will be on ensuring that he serves his sentences and uncovering the full extent of his operations while on the run.
Banev’s surrender is a critical step towards dismantling the remnants of his criminal network and bringing a sense of closure to the international community affected by his illicit activities.
As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge, shedding light on Banev’s movements and the potential lapses in surveillance that allowed his return to Bulgaria.
For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Sofia Central Prison, where Evelin Banev, alias “Brendo,” begins his long-awaited incarceration.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members