International Force Busts Bulgarian Child Porn Ring

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Six Bulgarians have been arrested in a child porn sting that stretched across Europe, Asia and North America in a joint effort between Bulgarian police and the FBI.

The suspects’ names have not been disclosed, but police say they seized a large cache of sexually explicit material involving children as young as three from the homes of six Bulgarians as well as the offices of an Internet provider where four of the individuals worked.

Officials raided apartments and the Internet provider on Dec. 2, seizing a database containing scenes of violence and sexual abuse against children, Katya Ilieva, a spokesperson for the organized crime unit of Bulgarian police, told the Associated Press.

Police uncovered more than 30,000 pictures and at least two gigabytes of videos that, according to Ilieva, contained “grisly rape scenes involving girls and boys aged between three and 12.” Ilieva added that in some of the movies, the children appeared drugged.

The Bulgarian Information Ministry released a statement saying that "men between the ages of 25 and 30 had set up a large database with photographs, clips and movies with pedophile content.”

The materials are believed to have originated in Russia's Far East, Ukraine and other former Soviet republics. It was stored on Bulgarian Internet servers and downloaded primarily by people located in Europe and the United States.

The six individuals also were involved in the distribution of pirated software, music and movies, Ilieva said.

Michael Clark, an FBI representative based in Bulgaria, said the operation was "an excellent example of international cooperation.” He added that the operation will continue in other countries under the supervision of the FBI and that more arrests are expected.

Bulgaria, one of the poorest Eastern European countries with a population of only eight million people, has stepped up its efforts against child pornography recently as part of its bid to be admitted into the European Union.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Age Verification Watch: Patching the Holes

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Ofcom Fines OnlyFans Parent Company Over Inaccurate Age Verification Reporting

U.K. communications regulator Ofcom has fined OnlyFans parent company Fenix International Ltd. $1.36 million for inaccurate reporting of its age verification measures.

Irish Government Releases Report on Sex Work Decriminalization Legislation

The Irish government has released a report reviewing a 2017 law that decriminalized sex work across the country.

Texas Bill Would Require Age Verification for Online Sex Toy Sales

A new bill in the Texas state legislature would require online retailers to implement age verification of purchasers before selling “obscene devices” to anyone in that state.

Age Verification Watch: Michigan Joins the AV Club, Some Laws Just Make No Sense

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Free Speech Groups Back SCOTUS Appeal of Georgia Strip Club Tax

Two civil liberties organizations filed an amicus brief Tuesday supporting a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal in a case involving whether a tax specifically aimed at adult entertainment establishments violates the First Amendment.

Swedish Court Rules LELO Products Do Not Infringe 'Invalid' Satisfyer Patent

A Swedish district court has ruled that a patent filed by Satisfyer parent company EIS GmbH is not valid, and therefore three products from pleasure brand LELO are not in violation.

North Dakota House Committee Questions Anti-Porn 'Public Health Hazard' Claim

The North Dakota House of Representatives Education Committee on Monday amended a resolution that would have recognized pornography as a “public health hazard,” instead replacing that language with a call for further study into whether such a designation is appropriate.

Wyoming Governor Signs Age Verification Law

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed the state's new age verification bill into law yesterday.

Florida Bill Would Auto-Filter Porn for All Users, Not Just Minors

Florida lawmakers have introduced legislation to require manufacturers to equip tablets and smartphones with a filter that would prevent all users from accessing material deemed harmful to minors, to be automatically enabled on devices activated in that state.

Show More