Food Delivery Gang Controlled Kiryat Gat for a Decade
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Fifteen individuals have been indicted for allegedly operating a criminal gang that controlled Kiryat Gat's food delivery sector for a decade through threats and violence. The "Benmo gang" allegedly extorted businesses, intimidated independent drivers, and enforced a monopoly. The investigation involved undercover agents and uncovered violent threats and extortion schemes. The gang's alleged decade-long control highlights its deep influence over the local delivery market.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A criminal gang allegedly controlled Kiryat Gat's food delivery industry for ten years using threats and violence.
- Fifteen individuals have been indicted for their alleged roles in the "Benmo gang's" operations.
- Business owners were reportedly forced to cede control or pay protection money to the gang.
- Delivery drivers faced threats, intimidation, and were used to monitor competitors.
- The investigation involved undercover agents who infiltrated the alleged criminal organization.
- Gang members allegedly made death threats and threatened physical violence against rivals and drivers.
A criminal gang known as the "Benmo gang" allegedly controlled the food delivery industry in Kiryat Gat for approximately ten years through threats, extortion, and violence. Business owners were forced to abandon their livelihoods, and delivery drivers lived in constant fear. Indictments have now been filed against 15 individuals, including alleged gang members Ozene, Atadgi, and Martsiano, as well as Dahan.
According to the indictment, gang members like Ozene pressured business owners, demanding they operate under the gang's supervision or cease operations. One business owner was reportedly forced to give up his business after Ozene claimed the Benmo brothers intended to take over the sector. In another instance, Ozene allegedly demanded 4,000 shekels monthly from a competitor, threatening to shut down his business. To enforce their control, the gang allegedly punctured a delivery driver's motorcycle tires, forcing him to significantly reduce his operations.
Delivery drivers working for the gang were reportedly tasked with identifying competitors, gathering their contact information, reporting on independent drivers, and collecting payments. Atadgi is accused of threatening an independent driver, stating, "You're out until after Passover. I'm shutting off your tap." Martsiano allegedly threatened another driver, saying, "I'll break his legs and arms," and warned him against hiring other drivers or establishing new delivery services, asserting the gang's monopoly.
The indictment also details a violent incident in May, where a driver demanded owed payments from Martsiano and Atadgi. Atadgi allegedly responded with a death threat, saying, "I'll come and cut off your head and shoot you." During their arrest, Martsiano and Atadgi reportedly threatened a fellow detainee, warning him against cooperating with authorities or becoming an informant, implying danger to his life and his family's lives.
The investigation, led by the Lahish District Detective Unit and the National Guard of the Border Police, utilized undercover police agents posing as delivery drivers and business owners. This operation was specifically designed to expose the gang's activities and its associates. The prosecution claims the gang's decade-long control demonstrates the depth of their hold on the industry, with drivers exploited for surveillance and financial collection under threat of job loss.
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