Five Accused of Extortion and Control of Food Delivery in Kiryat Gat

The State Prosecutor's Office has filed indictments against five residents of Kiryat Gat, who allegedly controlled the city's food delivery sector for about a decade through extortion, threats, and intimidation of business owners and delivery drivers. The group, known as "Benamo's Gang," is accused of preventing competition and forcing independent couriers to give up their work. The investigation was initiated by undercover agents posing as delivery drivers and business owners.

The indictments, filed in the Be'er Sheva District Court, name brothers שי בנמו and מיכאל בנמו as the alleged leaders of the criminal organization. שי בנמו, nicknamed "The Fat One," reportedly headed the group, with his brother מיכאל בנמו operating alongside him. The brothers were collectively known as "The Fats."

Other alleged members include אורן דהן, known as "Schnitzel," and אביאל מרציאנו, known as "Martzi." According to the prosecution, the brothers decided to take over the delivery industry in 2016. Through intimidation, they allegedly forced business owners to transfer their operations to the gang's control. In one instance, two business owners, fearing for their safety, abandoned their livelihoods. Another business owner was reportedly told to pay 4,000 shekels monthly to continue operating and was warned, "Don't work in deliveries, we're taking all the delivery businesses." His motorcycle tires were subsequently punctured, forcing him to reduce his operations.

In 2018, מימון אטדגי allegedly joined the operation, becoming the registered owner and manager of a delivery business to conceal the brothers' involvement. מרציאנו and דהן reportedly managed the operation behind the scenes, with דהן responsible for relaying instructions and collecting profits. To stifle competition, the accused allegedly monitored couriers and business owners, demanding reports on rivals and independent activities, and collecting funds. מרציאנו is accused of threatening a courier who tried to work independently, saying, "I'll break his legs and arms."

The indictment also details a violent incident from May 2026, where אטדגי allegedly threatened a courier demanding owed money, saying, "I'll come and cut off your head and shoot you." אטדגי, along with another masked individual, then allegedly confronted the courier, with אטדגי simulating drawing a gun before taking the courier's scooter. Fearing for his life, the courier dropped his police complaint and left the city for several months. During their arrest, מרציאנו and אטדגי allegedly threatened the courier who was in the same detention cell, warning him not to cooperate with law enforcement or testify against them.

The prosecution is seeking to detain all five defendants until the conclusion of legal proceedings. Charges include extortion by threats, conspiracy to commit a crime, and obtaining property by deception. Some also face charges of aggravated robbery, attempted serious sabotage, and obstruction of justice.