Police Bust Bribery Ring That Passed Unsafe Cars in Annual Inspections

A major undercover police operation took place Monday morning in Ashdod, where large forces raided a vehicle inspection center and suspects’ homes after a covert probe uncovered a bribery network. According to suspicion, the center’s owners and operators let defective and dangerous vehicles, ones that did not meet basic safety standards, pass their annual roadworthiness tests in exchange for bribes.

The raid involved investigators from the traffic police’s special unit, Border Police officers, the aerial unit, and Transportation Ministry inspectors. Police said the inquiry had been running for months and gathered evidence of a systematic criminal scheme in which the center’s operators exploited their position to issue test approvals while pocketing illegal payments.

Twelve suspects, all from the Lachish area, were arrested. Investigators say the evidence points to serious offenses, including bribery, accepting bribes, false corporate records, tax offenses, money laundering, and the especially severe charge of endangering human life on the roads. Traffic police said these were “ticking bombs” on the road, approved by the inspection center in complete disregard for human life.

Police said the cars that passed inspection had major safety defects that should have prevented certification, yet were given valid registration despite failing legal safety requirements. Officers said the investigation is not over, warning that further arrests are expected, including dozens of vehicle owners who allegedly bought fake approvals and put unsafe cars on the road. The suspects were taken for intensive questioning and are expected to be brought before a judge later in the day for a remand extension.