Troops seize 275kg of drugs near Israel-Egypt border
Border Guards foil nightly drug running operation on southern border; suspect in custody
The Border Guard foiled a large drug smuggling operation on the Israel-Egypt border Thursday night, as part of the military's ongoing fight against drug trafficking in the area.
According to a statement by the Border Guard Command, troops patrolling in the area spotted two suspects trying to cross the border fence.
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Once the troops announced their presence the suspects began fleeing the scene. At one point they turned their vehicle around and attempted to run the soldiers over. No injuries were noted among the troops.
The soldiers opened fire at the vehicles' wheels, disabling it. The suspects then began fleeing on foot. One was apprehended, but the other one got away.
Both suspects are local Bedouins known to the police. The man who was arrested was remanded to the Southern District Police's custody.
The search of the vehicle turned up 275kg of marijuana, with an estimated street value of over NIS 1 million (roughly $270,000).
The last drug shipment seized by the border included 21kg of heroin.
Border Guard Commander Amos Yaakov lauded the troops' resolve and professionalism.
Meanwhile, the Police Naval Unit intercepted an illegal cigarette shipment off the coast of Tel Aviv. The officers seized thousands of cartons of cigarettes aboard a Cypriot fishing boat.
Two Israelis and seven foreign nationals were arrested on connection to the case.
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