Cannabis Lab Exposed in Haifa’s Carmel Center, About 7 Kilograms Seized

Police uncovered a suspected drug lab operating in an apartment in Haifa’s Carmel Center during a targeted operation by officers from the Tirat Carmel station, the police said on Friday. The search led officers to a flat that was believed to be used for growing drugs, where they found suspected cannabis weighing about 7 kilograms.

After the investigation advanced, licensing officers moved to close the apartment. Haifa District commander Maj. Gen. Yechiel Bohadana signed an administrative closure order and directed that the site be shut down.

The case came days after a separate, large-scale covert investigation by the Tel Aviv District Central Unit led to the arrest of nine suspects and the seizure of large amounts of foreign currency, shekels, and tens of kilograms of suspected synthetic drug known as "Doctor." Police described that lab as one of the largest exposed in recent years, saying it was an organized network that flooded the party scene with unusually large quantities.

Police also noted that five young people died last month after using drugs, but said it is not yet clear whether those deaths are linked to the latest operation. A police source told Walla that in recent months, toxic drugs have been spread around the country disguised as various substances, and that special units are doing everything necessary to locate them.