From the Liveblog of
Monday, July 13, 2026
Police arrest dozens in bust of suspected arms, drug trafficking network
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Police have arrested dozens of individuals suspected of trafficking arms and dangerous drugs this morning.
Authorities say the raid was made possible after a Bedouin agent working undercover for an elite police investigative body infiltrated their network.
The agent, nicknamed “The Nomad,” operated under the auspices of the Lahav 433 major crimes unit for an extended period, gathering evidence against the alleged smugglers before this morning’s wave of arrests.
Hundreds of officers raided locations across the country, nabbing suspects ferreted out by the agent. Many of the targets are located in southern Bedouin townships, including Rahat, Tel Sheva, Bir Hadaj, but police also made arrests in Arad, Dimona, Eilat and East Jerusalem.
The agent documented a great number of arms and drug transactions, police say.
Lahav 433 chief Manny Binyamin lauds the covert operation, saying the agent’s deployment enabled cops to “expose a vast criminal infrastructure and deal a major blow to arms and drug traffickers across the country.”
Police add that later today, officers will bring suspects to the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court for an extension on their remand, though they do not elaborate on the exact number of those arrested.
The Times of Israel Community.