Israel-Egypt border
Photo: Reuters
2 soldiers accused of aiding drug smugglers
Gaza Division servicemen also accused of giving sensitive information to Bedouin smugglers in exchange for bribes
Two IDF soldiers serving with the Gaza Division were indicted for aiding and abetting a drug smuggling operation, compromising national security, divulging classified information, possession of narcotics and accepting a bribe, over their involvement with a Bedouin drug smuggling ring operating on the Israel-Egypt border.
A conviction on all counts is punishable by over 55 years in jail.
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According to information made available on Monday, the two were arrested by the Military Police's special investigations unit. The investigation also led to indictments against several career officers who served as trackers in the south-based division.
The two prime suspects in the case have been serving in the IDF for only a few months and both hold the rank of corporal.
According to the indictment, corporal M. introduced corporal R. to an Israeli-Bedouin smuggler. R, who was part of a unit patrolling the border, gave the smuggler information about IDF patrols in the sector.
The prosecution said the information included specific times, dates, routes, scheduled stakeouts and even the location of CCTV cameras on the border.
"The information revealed by the suspects significantly endangered the forces on the ground and could have compromise national security," the indictment read.
The two reportedly received $4,000 in exchange for the information.
The investigation was launched by order of GOC Southern Command Tal Russo, after the forces deployed across the border could not explain the smugglers' ability to avoid detection time after time.
Ynet has learned that following the two suspects' arrest, there has been a dramatic increase in IDF forces' success in thwarting smuggling attempts.
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