Four Northern Israel Residents Arrested for Alleged Extortion Found Hunting Porcupines Instead

Four men aged 25 to 39 from Bi'ina near Karmiel were initially arrested on suspicion of being part of an extortion ring. However, police discovered they were actually involved in illegal porcupine hunting. During the arrest, officers found evidence indicating unlawful hunting activities rather than extortion. Nature and Parks Authority inspectors seized hunting equipment, porcupine meat, and a live young porcupine intended for slaughter. After a brief field examination confirmed the porcupine was unharmed, it was released back into the wild.