Israeli police and the Tax Authority are investigating a major security failure after stolen smuggled cigarettes worth tens of millions of shekels vanished from eight large containers stored in a licensed warehouse under customs supervision near Ashdod Port. The goods had been seized in separate operations and were being held as key evidence in cases against smuggling networks.
According to the report, the theft took place over the weekend. The containers were taken out of the facility, emptied of the valuable cigarettes, and then returned to the site apparently unnoticed. The loss creates a double blow for the state, because the goods were smuggled contraband that should have generated revenue, and because the missing cargo was central evidence in sensitive criminal cases, some linked to other security bodies.
The breach was discovered only days later, and police were informed after a significant delay. Investigators from the Lachish District’s central unit have opened a probe and are examining whether workers at the site were involved. A source familiar with the details said there is a suspicion of cooperation between criminals and people working there, calling it “a very serious case.”
No suspects have been arrested so far, but the same source said arrests could come within days, either of the people who carried out the theft or others who helped them. The Tax Authority said the incident is under joint investigation by customs and police and involved containers stolen from a licensed warehouse under customs oversight.
