Indictments Filed in Kiryat Gat Delivery Sector Racketeering Case
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Five individuals, including brothers Shai and Michael Benamo, have been indicted in the Beersheba District Court for extortion and conspiracy charges related to controlling the food delivery sector in Kiryat Gat. The indictments stem from a covert investigation that used undercover agents and a fictitious company to gather evidence of threats and monopolistic practices. The operation aimed to dismantle a protection racket and establish control over local delivery services. This follows similar indictments in the "Relay Race" case against two other suspects in the Ashdod area.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Five individuals, including brothers Shai and Michael Benamo, were indicted for extortion and conspiracy in Kiryat Gat.
- The indictments target a suspected operation to monopolize the local food delivery market through threats.
- A covert investigation from December 2025 to August 2026 used undercover agents and a fake company.
- Suspects allegedly pressured businesses to use a specific delivery company and threatened independent operators.
- This is part of the "Relay Race" case, following similar indictments in the Ashdod area.
The Southern District Prosecutor's Office (Criminal) has filed indictments against five individuals, including brothers Shai and Michael Benamo, in the Beersheba District Court. They are accused of involvement in extortion by threats, conspiracy to commit a crime, and other offenses. The indictments follow a lengthy covert investigation by the Lahish Subdistrict's Central Unit, in cooperation with the National Guard of the Border Police, aimed at eradicating protection rackets and serious crime in the region.
The investigation focused on suspicions of a large-scale extortion and threat operation targeting business owners, restaurant managers, delivery drivers, and competitors in the food delivery sector in Kiryat Gat. According to the indictments, the defendants sought to establish a monopoly and complete control over the local delivery market. They allegedly used threats and intimidation to harm competitors, reduce free competition, and deter independent operators.
The complex investigation, which ran from December 2025 to August 2026, involved undercover police agents infiltrating the criminal organization. To gather evidence, agents posed as delivery drivers and business owners, even establishing a fictitious company called "Delivery World." They allegedly pressured local businesses to exclusively use the "On Time" delivery company and forbade them from ceasing their contracts.
In other instances, independent business owners and delivery drivers were allegedly threatened and ordered to cease operations immediately, with threats impacting their personal safety and livelihoods. The investigation moved to its overt phase in August 2026, with police forces arresting the suspects in Kiryat Gat and the southern region.
This is another indictment in the "Relay Race" case. Two days prior, indictments and arrest requests until the end of proceedings were filed against Eyal Nagar and Maor Azriel, suspected of running a protection racket in the Ashdod area. Israeli police emphasized their continued commitment to combating organized crime and protection rackets to safeguard the public, preserve freedom of occupation, and strengthen economic security in the South.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 2Right 2Haredi 1Other 1
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
