Police take on nature's vandalists
Secret investigation held by Police and Jewish National Fund brings nature vandalizing to an end. Over 12 suspects arrested
Over 200 police officers raided a dozen homes in the village of Turan, in northern Israel on Monday, following an investigation into the vandalizing of reservations and illegal mineral mining.
The police were assisted by the Jewish National Fund and Tax Authority officers. Twelve suspects were arrested.
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The police confiscated several vehicles, including tractors and trucks, which allegedly assisted the suspects in their illegal activity.
Tractor loads confiscated mining tools (Photo:courtesy of the Police)
Financial Crimes Unit detectives believe that the illegal mining has been going on for years, along with illegal deforestation and it is believed that the suspects transferred the minerals, worth millions of shekels, to different industries.
A special investigative team led by Major-General Alon Grossman met with JNF and Tax Authority officials several months ago, with the aim of putting an end to the illegal activities.
The team's detectives worked under cover, posing as park rangers and documented the illegal activity. The damage cause to the area's reservations is estimated at NIS 19 million (roughly $5.12 million).
The suspects were charged with illegal mining, vandalism, tax evasion and money laundering. The police motioned the Rishon LeZion Magistrate's
Court to have the suspects remanded.
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