- “Cocaine King” knocks 60 in the cell
- Relatives send cards to <a href="https://time.news/4-instances-brendo-wished-to-go-to-jail-however-the-courtroom-refused-in-the-long-run-he-appeared-alone-with-a-smile-and-a-bag-overview-2024-06-25-160855/" title="4 instances Brendo wished to go to jail, however the courtroom refused – in the long run he appeared alone with a smile and a bag (Overview)
– 2024-06-25 16:08:55″>Evelin Banev to congratulate him
Jubilee celebrated Brendo in pandis! While rubbing a pomegranate in the Central Sofia Prison, Evelyn Banev-Brendo turned 60 years old yesterday! Alone in his cell, the “cocaine king” welcomes the holiday, sources from the prison confided to “Bulgaria Dnes”.
The event passed without a cake, expensive champagne and other pampering, with which Banev has celebrated his birthday so far. This year Brendo spends his anniversary very modestly, and his company is not twisted beauties, but his colleagues from the 12th group of the prison. Brendo most likely treated his cellmates modestly in the pandis stall. In his brigade are ordinary pandizians sentenced to imprisonment. In contrast, the newcomer is prepared a special diet menu because of stomach problems. Still, Brendo is not forgotten behind bars. His family sends him several greeting cards and letters on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary.
Even though he was given a 6-year sentence for a gang for laundering drug money, Evelin Banev does not spend his time only between four walls. He was taken out for medical examinations and a visit to the dentist. Because of the complicated procedure, the famous prisoner is escorted by two security buses with lights and sound signaling and is guarded by a dozen guards from the Main Directorate “Execution of Punishments”. The guards also make sure that a chicken does not roll over the head of the “cocaine king”, and that he does not do something illegal.
Already with his surprising appearance at the end of June in front of the Sofia ribbon, Banev made it clear that he was aware of what he was doing. The services hint that there are most likely threats to his life. It is possible that this is precisely why the boss chose the secure cell. Therefore, after nearly 6 years in exile and being hit with a red notice by Interpol, Brendo decided to surrender and serve his sentence. The punishment as the head of a money laundering group is the least on his account. Romania sentenced him to 10 and a half years for drug trafficking, and in Italy they gave him 20 years in prison for the “Cocaine Kings” affair.
For the last two years, Banev has asked the court four times to group all his sentences and serve them in our country. In this regard, the magistrates request information from Italy about the period and regime under which the intruder was detained. The documents are still pending, the court explained to the newspaper. Only after receiving them will the fate of Brendo become clear – whether he will lie for the cocaine affairs in his native cell and whether his sentences will be reduced.
Arrest warrants have been issued for Evelin Banev from Italy and Romania, but the court refuses to extradite him. The reason for the refusal is rooted in the Extradition and European Arrest Warrant (EAW) Act, which states that the extradition of a wanted person abroad must be delayed until he has served his sentence.
Read more in the “Bulgaria Today” edition.