Israeli Gangs Smuggle Drugs to Jordan Via Drones, Balloons, British Media Reports

Israeli criminal groups are using drones and balloons to smuggle drugs into Jordan, exploiting a significant price difference, according to a report by The Telegraph on Tuesday, October 13. Israeli security forces estimate that hashish in Jordan costs 15 times more than in Israel, with one Israeli quoted by the newspaper valuing a kilogram of hashish in Jordan at 7,500 pounds sterling (approximately 30,000 shekels). Drug prices in Jordan have sharply increased over the past two years. The Telegraph also reported that these groups often engage in reciprocal smuggling, bringing weapons back into Israel using the same methods. Following the smuggling of hundreds of kilograms of drugs, Jordanian security forces have intensified border patrols and surveillance, employing watchtowers and drones. Drug smuggling also occurs in the reverse direction; on Tuesday evening, Israeli police reported a drone falling in the Hai-Bar Nature Reserve in the Arava, suspected of carrying drugs from Jordan before crashing. Bomb disposal experts and an IDF unit were at the scene. The Telegraph attributes the price surge in Jordan to increased efforts against smuggling from Syria, particularly after the fall of the Assad regime. The Jordanian army has expanded operations to intercept supplies, including Captagon, a stimulant often called the "jihadist drug," produced in southern Syria. Jordanian air forces have also struck targets near Suwayda to disrupt smugglers. Since the beginning of 2026, Jordanian security forces have seized over 15,000 Captagon pills, about 20,000 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, and 6,000 blocks of hashish, along with large quantities of other drugs. The newspaper also claims that Israeli military activity in southern Syria, including support for the Druze community in Suwayda, has fueled increased smuggling, turning the area into a drug production hub that authorities struggle to dismantle due to Israeli presence. Jordanian military officials have criticized Israeli reports of arms interceptions, which regularly highlight operations where weapons like Kalashnikov rifles are seized. According to The Telegraph, Jordanian army commanders view these reports as selective, portraying Jordan as the "Wild West" while downplaying crime on the Israeli side. A military source told the newspaper that Israeli reports are exaggerated, inaccurate, and only show half the picture, emphasizing that smuggling is bidirectional and the Jordanian border guard has been actively intercepting drug shipments. The source accused Israel of trying to create an impression of a constant border threat to justify increased military activity and security measures in the West Bank and border areas. The IDF rejected the assertion that it does not take smuggling on the eastern border seriously, informing The Telegraph that a new 96th division was established last year for its protection. Construction of a protective barrier and other security enhancements are also underway to improve detection and interception of smugglers. The IDF stated that it has thwarted dozens of arms smuggling attempts and seized thousands of kilograms of drugs in the past year.