Israeli Police Foil Major Hashish Drone Smuggling at Egypt Border, Arrest Two Suspects

Israeli police thwarted a significant drug smuggling operation involving a drone at the Egypt-Israel border as part of Operation Iron Net, announced by Police Commissioner Dany Levi two weeks ago. The targeted operation was conducted by the Magen unit of the Southern District Police and the Border Police's undercover unit, with aerial support from the Israeli Police Air Division and IDF surveillance. Authorities detected a drone making multiple crossings from Egypt into Israel, eventually landing in Israeli territory where recipients were identified.

Following the drone's landing, police tracked suspects traveling by vehicle who unloaded approximately 45 kilograms of hashish. A pursuit ensued after the suspects attempted to flee on foot, resulting in their capture. Police seized the drone, its controllers, and mobile phones from the suspects' vehicle. Investigations revealed the drone had conducted several flights that day.

The two suspects, cousins aged 16 and 20 from the Al-Azazmeh Bedouin community, were taken for interrogation by the Southern District Police. For the first time in the southern district, they were also charged under a new legal provision (Section 122a of the Penal Code) concerning violations of state sovereignty at the borders, punishable by up to nine years in prison. Additional charges include drug importation and endangering human life.

Following the investigation, the Southern District Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment request and a detention motion against the suspects, expected to be submitted by Tuesday. This operation is part of ongoing efforts by Israeli police, the IDF, and security agencies to combat illegal arms and drug smuggling across Israel's borders.