Contractor Arrested in Gaza With Large Drug Haul and Cell Phones

A 25-year-old contractor from Rahat, identified as Muhand Abu Yahya, was arrested in the Gaza Strip with approximately 40 kilograms of hashish and tens of thousands of Captagon pills weighing about 11 kilograms. Abu Yahya, who was working on infrastructure projects in the "Yellow Zone" within Gaza, was apprehended by the Southern District Police's Major Crimes Unit (Yamar) on the Philadelphi Corridor. He was initially detained in late July on suspicion of drug trafficking and smuggling into Gaza.

In addition to the drugs, investigators also seized 98 new mobile phones from Abu Yahya, though these were not included in the indictment. According to security officials, he was observed acting suspiciously by forces who then intercepted him in the act of smuggling a large quantity of various drugs and cell phones. The smuggling operation was reportedly intended for Egypt and Israel, with the Philadelphi Corridor being Israeli territory.

The indictment states that Abu Yahya left his post in the "Yellow Zone" without authorization and without security escort, heading towards the Philadelphi Corridor. He loaded canisters containing the drugs into his vehicle, which he found by the roadside. Soldiers noticed him behaving suspiciously as he moved from Israeli territory into Gaza. During his journey, he stopped and discarded one of the canisters, after which military forces apprehended him.

The prosecution, represented by attorney Wassim Abu Amer, has charged Abu Yahya only with possession of dangerous drugs not for personal use, as they lacked sufficient evidence to prove drug trafficking within Gaza. Abu Yahya claimed he collected the canisters believing they contained diesel fuel and stopped to drink water. He stated he panicked and threw a canister when confronted by Israeli forces.

The prosecution is seeking to detain Abu Yahya until the end of legal proceedings, citing his "audacity in committing drug offenses in a combat zone, exploiting his status and access to this area, increases the danger in his case."