Nine people were arrested on February 23 2010 in Sofia as part of an Interior Ministry operation dubbed "The Fakirs", aimed at busting car thieves, the Ministry said on its website.

Police searched 10 homes, uncovering a number of fake car registration documents, vending contracts, powers of attorney, specialised computer software and tools for unlocking vehicles. Police also found Bulgarian and foreign registration plates.

The group, aged between 27 and 37, was well-organised. Some of its members provided storage facilities for stolen vehicles. Others worked on vehicles' registration.

Two vehicles were also seized by police as part of the operation - an Audi A4, reported stolen in 2009 in Sofia, and a Mercedes 220 CDI.

"These people are extremely aggressive and well-prepared. They have been tormenting Sofia residents by stealing vehicles," Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov told Bulgarian National Television after the operation.

Police also detained 13 individuals believed to be part of organised crime groups used by crime bosses for disciplinary purposes. These people are dubbed as "silovatsi" or stormtroopers.

The "Fakirs" operation is the latest specialised police operation to be launched since December 2009.

The first one, called "The Insolents", led to the December 2009 arrest of more than 20 people alleged to have been involved in more than a dozen kidnappings over the past two years.

Also, in December 2009, a gang known as "The Crocodiles" was involved in an attempted robbery on Hemus highway where a member of the gang was killed and a police officer wounded in a gun battle.

On February 10 2010, 13 people were arrested in what became known as Operation Octopus. Among them was former State Agency for National Security agent Alexei Petrov.

The operation was directed at a group allegedly involved in serious financial offences. These included peddling influence, racketeering and procuring as well as offering sexual services for money, money laundering and tax evasion.

In February 2010, the Finance Ministry launched an operation called "The Owls" designed to thwart tax, customs and VAT fraud. Casinos, as well as offices of alcohol and cigarette producers and importers were raided, among others.