Indictments filed against suspected El Al airline drug smugglers

Police indict nine suspects accused of running a drug smuggling ring in which security personnel working with the El Al Israel Airlines used their authority to bring 150 kilograms of cocaine into the country via Ben Gurion airport.

The suspects are being charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and bring dangerous drugs into the country. Two of the suspects are also being charged with illegally bringing a weapon into the country and another with violating a court order, the Justice Ministry says in a statement.

The main suspect is identified as Rami Yogev, 54, a high-ranking El Al employee who oversees coordination and development of security, and is also in charge of the airline’s security abroad. His position gave him access to restricted areas of Ben Gurion airport and the ability to bypass standard security checkpoints, prosecutors say.