Heroin found by southern drug unit
Police report 40% rise in drug smuggling
Data by National Police Headquarters show high increase in trafficking, smuggling in 2008 compared to 2007, with hundreds of kilograms of drugs entering Israel from north, south, east, airport
The number of drug trafficking and smuggling cases opened in Israel in 2008 rose by 40% in 2008 compared to last year.
The data were presented to Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen on Sunday in a National Police Headquarters discussion on the special units that have been set up in recent years aimed at combating the smuggling of drugs through Israel's borders.
High End
Main suspect in attempt to smuggle estimated $3 million worth of narcotic from Jordan to Israel is 57-year old brother of well-known drug-trafficker currently standing trial for similar allegations
According to the data, during 2008 the Lebanon border drug unit confiscated over 122 kilograms (269 pounds) of heroin, some 23 kg (50 pounds) of hashish and some 5 kg (11 pounds) of cocaine.
The southern border drug unit confiscated 115 kg (253 pounds) of several different drugs, and just two days ago, on Saturday, 82 kg (180 pounds) of heroin were found in one of the unit's special operations, along with some 80,000 tablets of various kinds of amphetamines.
Drugs have also been coming in from the skies, and this year 1.4 kg (3 pounds) of cocaine were found at Ben Gurion International Airport.
In the eastern Arava region, a Border Guard unit confiscated 400 kg (881 pounds) of marijuana, some 790 kg (1,741 pounds) of hashish and 36 kg (79 pounds) of heroin).
