Police reveal probe of head of major crimes unit head linked to investigation of mob activity at Nazareth city hall

Investigators reveal that the head of Lahav 433, police’s high-profile investigative body, is suspected of maintaining ties with a former mayor of Nazareth while the ex-local politician was under investigation over alleged financial control of the municipality by a crime family.

A gag order is lifted on the details of Deputy Commissioner Manny Binyamin’s case after police carried out overnight raids to arrest current and former officials from the Nazareth municipality, as well as members of the Bakri crime family.

In the wake of the raids, and the announcement of the investigation and undercover operation, the Department of Internal Police Investigations announces that Binyamin is suspected of acting with a conflict of interest due to his personal relationship with the now-detained former mayor of Nazareth, and even sharing police information with him. The former official is not named.

Investigators suspect that Binyamin, after realizing that evidence implicating him had been collected in the Bakri family probe, worked with police officials in the north to transfer investigative materials to a unit subordinate to him in Lahav 433.

Police say that officers are currently operating at the Nazareth municipality compound.

Binyamin is being investigated on suspicion of breach of trust and abuse of office. He is banned from contacting individuals in the ongoing case, but has returned to his post at the helm of Lahav 433 and has strong backing from police chief Danny Levy.

Police said earlier that evidence indicated that Bakri crime family had “taken over the financial management of the municipality” of Nazareth.