Additional Suspects Arrested in Massive Ashdod Port Smuggling Case
Police and customs have arrested several additional suspects in a massive cigarette smuggling case at the Port of Ashdod, involving smuggled goods valued at 200 million shekels.
Police and customs authorities have arrested several additional suspects in connection with a massive cigarette smuggling attempt through the Port of Ashdod, valued at approximately 200 million shekels.
The arrests were carried out as part of a joint investigation by the Central Unit (YAMAR) of the Coastal District police and Ashdod customs investigators, following the interception of the smuggling operation last week.
Details of the Operation
This case marks one of the largest tobacco smuggling operations ever uncovered in the country. The attempt involved bringing eight containers loaded with thousands of cartons of cigarettes into the country without paying the required customs duties.
Import declarations falsely claimed that the containers held wheat flour originating from Egypt. However, comprehensive customs inspections revealed massive quantities of concealed cigarettes.
As previously reported, the contraband was discovered during an inspection of three shipments comprising 48 containers arriving from Egypt at the Port of Ashdod. While some containers genuinely contained flour, others concealed cigarettes hidden beneath false import declarations.
Scale and Investigation
At the time of the discovery, the Tax Authority announced that the value of the seized merchandise exceeded 200 million shekels, with evaded taxes estimated at tens of millions of shekels.
Ashdod Customs House Director Gil Haziz stated that this was the largest smuggling operation he had encountered throughout his career. Authorities also raised suspicions that a portion of the cigarettes may have been intended for smuggling into the Gaza Strip for money laundering and terror financing, though authorities emphasized this remains an unproven suspicion.
Following the initial arrest of two suspects last week, the investigation has expanded significantly. While law enforcement has not released the exact number or identities of the newly detained individuals, they confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.
