Marine police chased down a pair of smugglers off the coast of Acre last night in a pursuit that left one suspect seriously injured, foiling an attempt to bring a large amount of cigarettes into Israel.
They had been transporting 4,500 packs of cigarettes worth around NIS 2 million ($620 million) purchased at sea from a Cypriot merchant ship, police say.
The suspects, both residents of Acre in their 30s, tried to flee back to shore after police caught them, leading to a high-speed pursuit on the water.
The two men chucked boxes of cigarettes into the Mediterranean in a bid to discard evidence, rammed one of the police boats several times and then jumped into the water.
Police were able to immediately detain one of the men. His accomplice was seriously injured and taken to the hospital by Magen David Adom paramedics.
Officers recovered the cigarettes from the water and seized the suspects’ boat. Police intend to confiscate the vessel.
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From the Liveblog of
Monday, December 15, 2025
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