Massive drug sting in south nabs 23 suspects, narcotics, firearms

In a major drug sting, police raided homes in four southern cities on Tuesday and arrested 23 suspects on charges of drug and weapons trafficking.

The operation culminated a year of undercover work, including by an informant who successfully bought drugs and, in one case, an explosive device from the suspects, police said.

Tuesday’s raids involved a large number of officers, and included elite units of the Border Police. Investigators found large quantities of drugs, cash and illegal firearms at the suspects’ homes, and confiscated seven luxury vehicles believed to have been purchased with money obtained illegally.

The suspects are residents of Netivot, Ramat Negev, Ashkelon and Ofakim.

“We will continue with our unconcealed and our undercover work, including use of technological and other methods, to rein in the trade in drugs and illegal firearms,” a police statement said.

All the suspects were slated to be brought before a court later Tuesday to be remanded, police said.