Second Senior Crime Figure Arrested in Major Israeli Extortion Crackdown

Israeli police have confirmed the arrest of Shay Benamo from Kiryat Gat as the second senior criminal detained in a large-scale extortion investigation led by the Lachish District Police. Alongside him, his brother Michael Benamo was also arrested, and their detention has been extended by six days. The investigation, ongoing for over a year, has involved undercover agents who infiltrated the suspected criminal delivery network to gather evidence.

The police expect that the accumulated evidence will lead to indictments against several suspects. This development follows the arrest of another prominent crime figure, Eyal Nagar, who was detained during the same extensive operation that saw dozens of suspects taken into custody. Nagar is suspected of involvement in extortion rackets and control over delivery and distribution networks in Ashdod and its surroundings.

Authorities plan to continue interrogations of those involved in the coming days. Most of the arrested individuals are expected to remain in custody as courts review their cases. The operation marks a significant effort by Israeli law enforcement to dismantle organized crime networks involved in protection rackets and coercion.