Police Sting Operation Dismantles Ashdod Crime Empire

An extensive sting operation, employing undercover agents and a fictitious delivery business, has led to the exposure of a wide-ranging extortion ring in Ashdod. Eyal Nagar, identified as the head of a criminal organization operating in the city and its surroundings, and his associate Maor Azriel, are facing charges for thousands of offenses including extortion, protection rackets, and money laundering totaling millions of shekels. Indictments were filed against the two in the Beer Sheva District Court, with prosecutors also requesting their detention until the conclusion of legal proceedings.

Azriel, who allegedly performed the "dirty work" for Nagar, was reportedly offered a partnership in the business in 2023. Nagar's reputation as a debt collector was intended to help recruit businesses and deter competitors. The indictment against Nagar includes 18 separate charges, encompassing extortion, conspiracy to commit a crime, protection rackets, money laundering, evidence destruction, false corporate record-keeping, and tax evasion. A significant portion of the evidence against him comes from Azriel's testimony, detailing Nagar's takeover of businesses, threats, forced service provision, and financial demands, all leveraging Nagar's name and status.

Police agents operated a fake delivery company called "Delivery World," mimicking the operations of legitimate businesses. A recorded conference call from February, following threats made to "Delivery World," allegedly captures Nagar detailing his and Azriel's control over the food delivery sector in Ashdod and their behind-the-scenes activities. This evidence is supplemented by testimonies from numerous business owners who claim they were extorted by the pair, as well as financial records detailing alleged illegal economic activity.

The prosecution's arrest request highlights the severity of the case, emphasizing Nagar's alleged control over the city's delivery network through an organized and violent gang to secure financial gains, ensure a readily available delivery force, and solidify his criminal reputation. The indictment against Azriel includes 16 counts of offenses such as extortion, conspiracy, protection rackets, evidence destruction, fraud, income omission, false accounting, and money laundering. Azriel has reportedly confessed to most of the charges and provided details about his collaboration with Nagar, using Nagar's name and criminal reputation to instill fear, prevent competition, and extort money.

Investigators utilized various methods, including wiretaps, the fictitious business, agent testimonies, and mobile phone data extraction. The prosecution argues for continued detention of both defendants due to concerns of evidence tampering, witness intimidation, and obstruction of justice. The case underscores the infiltration of violent crime into everyday commerce, making the livelihoods of others dependent on Nagar and Azriel's will.