Michael Bachner is a news editor at The Times of Israel
Illustrative photo of drugs (Orel Cohen /Flash90)
Dozens of suspected drug dealers were arrested Monday at the conclusion of a year-long undercover operation in which a police agent pretended to be an ultra-Orthodox Hasidic Jew in order to get close to a Tel Aviv trafficking ring.
The agent operated for 12 months, disguised as a Bratslav follower and clothes vendor, near the central station in south Tel Aviv, winning the trust of local drug dealers, some of whom are members of known crime gangs, police said in a statement.
As part of the operation, he purchased several kilograms of various drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, hashish and marijuana on dozens of occasions. He also bought “dangerous substances” originally prescribed for medical purposes that had ended up in the local drug market.
Tel Aviv’s Central Bus Station. (illustrative photo; credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90)
Police officers and detectives simultaneously raided the homes of 30 suspects early Monday, finding NIS 1.5 million ($430,000) in cash in one apartment. Dozens of mobile phones suspected as stolen were also discovered.
The detainees are suspected of various offenses including trading, distributing, growing and importing drugs in south Tel Aviv.
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They were due to arrive at the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court Tuesday for a remand hearing.
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