Israeli Police Foil Major Ketamine Smuggling Operation Linked to Offender Of Crime

Ophir Orman, a 26-year-old criminal from Tirat Carmel with a history of 13 prison sentences for drug offenses, attempted to smuggle 50 kilograms of ketamine from France to Israel. The ketamine shipment was valued at approximately 12.5 million shekels. Orman, connected to the gang led by Ziv Alush, orchestrated the operation remotely and hired a courier from Netanya, identified as G., who was promised 200,000 shekels for transporting two suitcases of the drug.

The courier flew from Israel to Paris, then to Cologne, Germany, where he received the ketamine concealed in clothing and suitcases after it was chemically converted into liquid form for easier transport. To avoid detection, the courier returned to Israel via Budapest. Israeli police, acting on prior intelligence, conducted a covert operation on September 2, 2025, at Ben Gurion Airport, replacing most of the ketamine with sugar powder and leaving only 11 kilograms in the suitcases.

The courier was arrested in a Tel Aviv hotel room shortly after arrival, unaware of the police surveillance. Further investigation revealed financial transactions via digital wallets linking Orman to the drug purchase abroad. Both suspects exercised their right to silence during questioning. The Central District Attorney's Office filed charges against Orman and the courier in the Lod District Court.

Orman's lawyer, Moshe Zchut, cited evidentiary challenges that might lead to a plea bargain. Meanwhile, Orman remains in custody. He recently petitioned the Supreme Court for an eight-hour leave to attend his son's circumcision ceremony, but the request was denied due to concerns over his behavior in prison and intelligence reports of threats against him and his family. Judge Khaled Kabub rejected the petition, citing lack of trust.