Israeli arrested over role in weapons-smuggling network, Katz approves administrative detention
Defense Minister Israel Katz signed an order approving the use of administrative detention against the suspect, a resident of the South.
Israel Police and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) on Thursday arrested an Israeli citizen suspected of playing a central role in a weapons-smuggling network operating across Israel’s borders via drones.
Defense Minister Israel Katz signed an order approving the use of administrative detention against the suspect, a resident of the South, a joint statement from Shin Bet and police said.
The security apparatus alerted that terror structures actively work to facilitate weapons smuggling into Israel and allow for terrorists to further endanger Israel’s security.
Additionally, according to the statement, the rise in smuggled weapons into Israel has allowed for a drop in prices, thereby further increasing the accessibility of firearms to terror networks throughout Israel.
“In this way, the dangerous activities of weapons smugglers directly assist terror organizations in advancing their objectives,” the Shin Bet and police said.
Weapons and a drone that were intercepted by the IDF. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON’S UNIT)
IDF stops 130 smuggling drones from Egypt in a month
The IDF managed to stop 130 drone incursions into Israel from Egypt that aimed at smuggling weapons across the border, the military said in November.
Overall, military sources said the army has recently improved its interception of smuggling efforts by around 50%, which means it is possible that the 130 drones stopped last month were among 260 or more, since the 50% is a best guess.
Most of the munitions are produced in Iran or Yemen, according to IDF sources.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
