Israeli Police Uncover Long-Running Human Trafficking and Prostitution Ring in Haifa and Krayot

Israeli police have dismantled a prostitution network operating for nearly a year in Haifa and the Krayot area, following a covert investigation by the Coastal District's Central Unit. The inquiry, initiated from intelligence leads and conducted under a newly established human trafficking division, culminated in the arrest and indictment of two main suspects, a man and a woman from the Krayot region. The accused, 38-year-old Rotem Aisha Garon from Kiryat Motzkin and 43-year-old Sharon Marz Marciano from Kiryat Haim, allegedly ran the network while maintaining a seemingly normal lifestyle to avoid detection.

According to the indictment filed at the Haifa District Court, the suspects recruited vulnerable women, including those with mental or intellectual disabilities and lacking family support, by promising alternative employment. The women were then coerced into prostitution, servicing 10 to 20 clients daily without breaks, even during menstruation or pregnancy. They were confined to rented apartments across Haifa and the Krayot, forbidden from leaving during work hours or contacting the outside world freely, with some having their belongings and passports confiscated.

The investigation uncovered extensive evidence, including about 2,000 pages of wiretap transcripts and data from a phone with dual SIM cards revealing vast incriminating material. The women received less than a quarter of the clients' payments, with the suspects imposing fines and withholding wages under various pretexts. One woman was fined 6,000 shekels for alleged damage caused by a client, and another was threatened with a 30,000-shekel penalty after ceasing to work in prostitution.

Police described the operation as relentless, with the suspects exploiting the women seven days a week and employing drivers and apartment renters who allegedly aided the scheme. Authorities seized numerous assets suspected to be purchased with criminal proceeds, including real estate, vehicles, and bank accounts, with prosecutors expected to seek asset forfeiture. The victims are now in safe locations and receiving support from law enforcement and welfare services.

The police urged the public to report similar cases, emphasizing the severity and cruelty of human trafficking. The suspects have not admitted guilt and have largely remained silent during questioning. The court extended their detention pending further proceedings.