Police bust Ikea-based hash dealers

Drug dealers caught with large quantities of hashish, used furniture superstore's parking lot as base of operations
Sharon Roffe-Ofir

Narcotics detectives have uncovered a massive drug dealing operation being run out a parking lot of the Netanya-based Ikea furniture superstore.

Police found 32 kilograms of Afghan hashish stored inside bags, and arrested eight people suspected of being involved.

Huge bust: Police found massive hash stash (Photo: Amit Magal)

"We dealt a harsh blow to the drugs market," one detective said.

Detectives followed the drug dealers on their way to Netanya Tuesday, and were amazed to find them heading towards Ikea.

"We couldn’t believe they would carry out the deal there, especially as such a large quantity of drugs was involved," the unit's commander said.

The suspects under arrest belong to the senior organized crime families Avergil and Musli.

The hashish confiscated by police is known as one of the most expensive types of cannabis on the drugs market, and is estimated to be worth around NIS 600,000 (USD 126,700).

"We haven't seen such a large amount of drugs in a long time," one police source said.

"These dealers simply opened up a drugs station in the middle of the day, in a known public area, without worrying about being caught," he added.

More arrests in connection with the case are expected soon.