Israeli Military and Police Charge Officer and Reservist in Northern Base Weapons Theft and Drug Trafficking Case

Israeli police and military police have filed indictments in a serious case involving the theft of an M16 rifle from an IDF base in northern Israel. The investigation, conducted jointly by the Northern District Police and the Military Police Investigations Unit, began after a report on June 20 revealed the theft of the weapon by a 30-year-old reservist from Tiberias, who allegedly stole the rifle from a fellow soldier in the same unit.

Following suspicions that the stolen weapon was handed over to criminal elements, authorities arrested a 30-year-old resident of Kiryat Tivon who reportedly received the rifle on the night of the theft. The probe uncovered a drug trafficking network dealing in cocaine and other hard drugs, with much of the narcotics allegedly supplied to soldiers within northern military bases. A 34-year-old Tiberias resident and the Kiryat Tivon suspect are believed to have operated this network over recent months.

Additionally, the reservist’s brother, a lieutenant colonel stationed at a northern military camp, is under investigation for obstruction of justice and conspiracy. He is suspected of providing medical cannabis, which he legally obtained, to the suspects on multiple occasions.

The Northern District Prosecutor’s Office announced it will indict the Kiryat Tivon resident for arms trafficking, while the Military Prosecutor’s Office will charge the reservist for theft and trafficking of the weapon. The Kiryat Shmona police prosecution is expected to indict the 34-year-old Tiberias resident for drug offenses. Charges against the lieutenant colonel are anticipated to be filed later.