BBC Radio 4's Crossing Continents was broadcast on Thursday, 24 February, 2005, at 1100 GMT.

The programme was repeated on Monday, 28 February, 2005, at 2030 GMT.

Listen to the programme

Last year alone 10,000 British people bought property in Bulgaria.

The boast is that the country's Black Sea coast is fast becoming the next Costa Del Sol.

And with the prospect of EU membership in just two years, many hope to be making a good profit.

But the real profiteers at the moment are Bulgarian underworld bosses.

The country is renowned for the illegal trafficking of money, meat, weapons, drugs, women and babies.

The going rate for a Bulgarian baby is said to be around �2000.

Rosie Goldsmith spoke to women who have sold their babies and to those trying to stop them.

Presenter: Rosie Goldsmith
Producer: John Murphy