After months of undercover work run by Lahav 433, Israel’s national crime unit, hundreds of officers and special forces raided dozens of targets across the country Monday morning. The operation led to the arrest of dozens of suspects. For the first time, police deployed an undercover agent from within Bedouin society.
The agent, code-named “The Nomad,” successfully penetrated deep into criminal operations using deception. Throughout his deployment, The Nomad documented numerous transactions, including the purchase of illegal combat weapons—among them four M16 rifles and dozens of handguns—alongside trafficking of half a kilogram of cocaine.
Crime Network Exposed
This morning’s raids spread across multiple locations nationwide, including Rahat, Tel Sheva, Bir Hadaj, Arad, Dimona, Eilat, and East Jerusalem. Among the dozens arrested are 20 major crime targets who until now believed their activities were operating below law enforcement’s radar.
This marks one of the most complex operations carried out in recent years, based on comprehensive evidence gathering at the heart of wide-ranging criminal elements. The arrested suspects were brought during the day to Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court, where police filed requests to extend their detention for further investigation.