An IDF non-commissioned officer (NCO) was arrested about a month ago by the Galilee Sub-District's central police unit for suspicion of smuggling drugs from Lebanon and disclosing sensitive information regarding Israel's military activity to Hizbullah, it was cleared for publication on Monday.
Abed Zuabi, a 30-year-old resident of Nazareth, who is believed to have headed the drug-smuggling operation, was arrested along with 26-year-old Shir Haib of Tuba-Zangriya, also in northern Israel, while in possession of two kilos of heroin worth an estimated NIS 1 million ($350,000).
According to the investigation, the NCO, who is familiar with the territory around the Israel-Lebanon border, assisted the two drug smugglers for a fee. He is also suspected of disclosing sensitive information regarding IDF activity to Hizbullah terrorists positioned in south Lebanon as part of his involvement in the drug-smuggling operation.
On Sunday an indictment was filed against Zuabi and Haib with the Nazareth District Court. Police said the NCO is expected to be indicted this coming Thursday.
Chief Superintendent Shmuel Boker, head of the Galilee Sub-District's central police unit, told Ynet that the two-month investigation revealed that the drug smugglers had recruited the NCO, who "helped them smuggle drugs in from Lebanon."
Access to the border
The officer is also suspected of committing several security-related offenses and disclosing information to hostile elements in Lebanon, Boker said.
According to the indictment, last February Zuabi offered a man who later worked for the police $2,500 for every kilo of heroin he managed to smuggle into the country. Haib, the indictment said, gave the man, nicknamed "Hajj", $13,000 and a SIM card and asked that he deliver the goods to a contact on the Lebanese side of the border, near Metula. During the exchange "Hajj" received 2 kilos of heroin, which he later delivered to his operatives. "Haj" received $3,500 for his efforts.
The indictment further stated that Zuabi contacted the NCO "after learning that the officer was willing to assist in the importing of drugs to Israel and had access to the border region". The NCO instructed Zuabi on how to smuggle the drugs without getting caught.
The NCO, according to the indictment, was promised $20,000 for his help. "The officer even offered to have his relative, a shepherd who resides near the border, assist in the smuggling as well," the indictment said.
In June of 2006 Lieutenant Colonel Omer el-Haib was sentenced to 15 years in prison for belonging to an espionage cell that sold maps, electronic equipment and secret information to Hizbullah in exchange for dozens of kilograms of hashish.
In May 2007 his sentence was reduced to 10 years following an appeal.
Last month Lebanese sources reported that one man was killed and two others were seriously injured from IDF fire while attempting to smuggle drugs into Israel.
Sharon Roffe-Ofir contributed to the report