Fourteen suspects have been arrested after police uncovered a smuggling network suspected of being used to manufacture explosive devices for terrorist organizations in the West Bank on Monday.
A joint operation between Border Police, IDF intelligence units, and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) exposed a network suspected of smuggling dual-use materials for terrorist organizations, according to a statement from the Israel Police spokesperson.
The covert operation, which was led by the Border Police Investigations Division and the Tax Authority, took place over several months.
It was launched in response to a rising threat of explosive devices in the West Bank, which had caused injuries and fatalities in the IDF and Border Police forces, the statement explained.
The investigation found that an Israeli citizen, working with several Palestinians, allegedly smuggled millions of shekels worth of dual-use materials into the West Bank.
The suspects didn’t fully report the resulting income to tax authorities, and the materials allegedly reached terrorist organizations who used them to manufacture explosive devices.
Eight suspects involved in the affair were initially arrested. During the overt phase of the operation, six additional suspects were arrested.
During the operation, approximately 175 kg of materials suspected of being used to manufacture explosive devices were seized.
The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are expected depending on developments.
Source:
www.jpost.com
