Big bust: Some 100 policeman and Tax Authority agents raided the Ramla-Lod market in Jerusalem Monday to apprehend nine men suspected of charges of extorting millions in "protection" money from market stand owners.
The nine suspects operated stands in the Jerusalem market. They allegedly acted on behalf of other criminals, extorting millions of shekels from other market stand owners.
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While some stand owners denied the existence of an extortion ring, one owner said, "When you operate a stand you know the kind of people you're dealing with. If you talk you get in a mess."
- Police at the market. (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)
In another raid, three West Galilee residents were arrested on suspicion of running a gambling network and laundering millions of shekels via a horse ranch.
Tax Authority officers arrested three suspects for allegedly running an Internet-café gambling ring in Karmiel, Acre and Nahariya for the past few years.
- Police at horse ranch (Photo:North District Police)
The suspects, ages 45, 50 and 75, laundered their gambling proceeds through a horse ranch in Ben Ami. They used the proceeds to buy cars, real estate, and horses. The ranch housed 50 horses each worth between $75 thousand to $200 thousand.
Chief Superintendant Michael Shapshek commander of the north district's police central unit said" We arrested 3 suspects. They're not big criminals but they have accumulated a lot of wealth illegally."