More Than 20 Arrested in Migdal HaEmek on Suspicion of Gambling and Protection Rackets

First report: At the end of a covert investigation conducted by police into more than 20 criminal figures in Migdal HaEmek suspected of gambling offenses, loans on the black market and extortion through protection rackets, the suspects were arrested this morning (Wednesday) in an operation by Lahav 433. The investigation was carried out in close cooperation with the Israel Prison Service’s intelligence and investigations unit, the Migdal HaEmek police, and the Haifa and Northern District Tax Authority investigations, and exposed a brutal criminal network operating both inside prison walls and outside them. At the same time, a targeted raid was carried out by Israel Prison Service units on the cell of the gang leader, who is serving his sentence in Shatta Prison. According to the police statement, the suspects are members of a particularly violent and dangerous gang that operated in Migdal HaEmek and the northern region and carried out serious offenses of money laundering, running gambling lines, issuing high-interest loans and extortion by threats against dozens of victims. During the raid, extensive property used for the criminal activity was seized, including real estate assets, significant amounts of cash and numerous documents strengthening the evidentiary basis against those involved. An airsoft pistol and luxury vehicles were also confiscated. The gang operated through violence, arson of property and businesses, and instilled fear in debtors and their family members, terrorized law-abiding civilians, all while cynically exploiting their financial distress in order to impose its rule and collect debts. In addition, large-scale financial offenses were carried out through the use of bank accounts, concealment of cash, cryptocurrency and a financial services platform intended to launder the proceeds of the criminal activity. About two weeks ago, a major criminal attack was foiled in a raid by Northern District police officers and Border Police fighters on a compound in Kafr Manda in the Galilee, where one suspect was arrested and 7 firearms, additional weapons and an operational vehicle ready for a criminal assassination were seized. The forces also raided another compound in the village and arrested a well-known lawyer in the Arab sector, where two Glock pistols were found. The operation began as part of broad operational preparations by the Northern District ahead of the Eid al-Adha holiday and an intensified effort to prevent violent crime in the Arab street. As part of assessments that suspects from Kafr Manda intended to carry out an assassination, forces were deployed in the area and sealed off a compound, an "azibah," where a suspect was hiding. When the forces entered, he fled on foot but was arrested after a short pursuit. A search of the compound uncovered an arsenal and a full logistical cache for a professional assassination cell, including 7 ready-to-use weapons, two long M16 rifles, two short M16 rifles, a Kalashnikov assault rifle and two Glock 19 pistols. Along with the weapons, the forces seized more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, 15 loaded magazines, gloves, helmets and 5 DVR recording devices.