Israeli police and the Tax Authority announced Tuesday they foiled a major cigarette smuggling operation worth an estimated ₪20 million (~$5.5 million). In a joint operation by the Lachish District’s investigative unit and Ashdod Customs, authorities seized two containers that arrived from Turkey at Ashdod Port and were destined for distribution in Judea and Samaria. The complex operation included undercover investigation and close surveillance of the containers’ movements.
The investigation began after Ashdod Customs officials grew suspicious of two containers arriving from Turkey. According to the declaration, the containers were supposed to contain household goods, but a quick tip passed to the Lachish investigative unit led to the opening of an undercover probe. Unit detectives and customs investigators maintained close surveillance of the containers from the moment they were unloaded at the port until they were loaded onto trucks.
Once loaded onto the trucks, the containers began moving toward Judea and Samaria. At that point, Lachish unit detectives moved in and stopped the trucks and their drivers, residents of East Jerusalem. The trucks and containers were transferred to Ashdod Customs for thorough inspection, where their true contents were revealed: smuggled cigarettes worth millions of shekels, instead of the declared household goods.
Following the discovery of the smuggling operation, the customs agent involved and the importers behind the attempt to bring the goods into the country were also arrested for questioning. Israeli police and the Tax Authority emphasized they will continue to act decisively against economic crimes, smuggling, and any criminal activity that harms the state treasury and public security, through close cooperation between agencies.