Israeli Border Police Arrest 18-Year-Old for Smuggling Glock Pistol in Negev Bedouin Community

In a targeted operation last Wednesday, Israeli Border Police fighters from the Southern National Guard used a drone to identify and arrest an 18-year-old suspect from the Bedouin community in the Negev who was smuggling a Glock pistol. The weapon was found wrapped in paper in an open area near where the suspect was apprehended during systematic drone-assisted searches in the open spaces around the Bedouin settlement of Rahat.

The suspect was immediately detained and taken for questioning at the Rahat police station. Following the initial investigation, his detention was extended by court order until August 24, 2026. The ongoing investigation aims to clarify the circumstances of the weapon's possession and its origin.

This arrest is part of a broader police crackdown on illegal arms possession in southern Israel. Recently, police uncovered an unprecedented operation involving an undercover agent from the Bedouin community who helped indict dozens involved in arms trafficking. Additionally, a 20-year-old from the Bedouin community was indicted for running an organized smuggling network that used drones to import 32 long firearms, including M-16 rifles, from Egypt.

The Israeli Police and Border Police emphasized their continued commitment to combating crime, preventing illegal arms possession, and strengthening security and governance in Rahat and the southern region.