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."
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