The fight against racketeering: A suspect in the collection of protection money arrested in Ashdod

Officers from the Southern Racketeering Division of Lahav 433, together with fighters from the Border Police National Guard, Matpa fighters, and Southern District police officers, arrested a suspect on suspicion of collecting protection money under the guise of security services in the industrial zone of Ashdod. The suspect was brought in for questioning and subsequently brought to a hearing at the Magistrate's Court in Be'er Sheva, which extended his detention until August 6, 2026.

In the official statement from the police spokesperson, it was written:

"In the Southern Racketeering Division of Lahav 433, a covert investigation has been ongoing for several months, in cooperation with the Ashdod station, on suspicion of collecting protection money from contractors on various projects in the southern industrial zone in Ashdod, under the guise of security services at construction sites."

With the transition to the overt phase of the investigation, detectives from the Southern Racketeering Division, together with fighters from the Border Police National Guard, Matpa fighters, and Southern District police officers, raided homes and construction site complexes in Hura and Ashdod this morning.

During the operation, a suspect, a resident of Hura, a family member allegedly involved in the affair, was arrested. In addition, an employee of the security company was detained for questioning.

As part of the searches, two vehicles, mobile phones, a computer, and documents were seized and transferred for further investigation.

The Israel Police calls on the public of business owners, contractors, and anyone who believes they have been harmed by the actions of criminal elements or has been a victim of protection money collection, to contact the nearest police station or call 100 and provide their testimony, in order to assist in the continuation of the investigation and bringing those involved to justice.