Two Negev Residents Arrested in Attempted 60kg Drug Smuggling to Jordan

Israeli police and the military announced on Monday the arrest of two residents from the southern region of Israel in connection with an attempted smuggling of approximately 60 kilograms of drugs from Israel to Jordan. According to a joint statement, army surveillance units detected suspects attempting to smuggle narcotics towards the Jordanian border near the town of Ma'oz Haim. Border police and military units, including the "Lions of the Jordan" battalion, "Matilan" unit, and the Northern Command's YAMAR unit, responded to the scene. They discovered several bags containing about 60 kg of drugs, estimated to be worth millions of shekels.

A vehicle fled the scene but was pursued by the Northern Command's YAMAR unit. The pursuit led to the apprehension of two suspects, identified as residents of Bedouin communities in the south, aged 17 and 20, near the Megiddo Junction. The arrested individuals and the seized drugs were transferred to the Northern District of the Israel Police for further investigation.

This bust is part of ongoing efforts by security forces to thwart smuggling operations along the eastern border. In recent months, these operations have resulted in the seizure of approximately 700 kg of drugs.