Crackdown
Drone-Smuggling Ring Busted on Jordan Border, Ring Leader Arrested
Operation by Shin Bet, IDF, and Southern District Police Targets Weapons and Drug Smuggling into Judea and Samaria
Israeli security forces have dismantled a smuggling ring that allegedly used drones to transport weapons and drugs across the Jordanian border. Several suspects, including the suspected ringleader, were arrested during the operation.
The investigation was carried out by the IDF’s Jordan Valley Unit (YAGI), the Southern District Police (Yamr), in coordination with the Shin Bet, the Metilan Unit, and the IDF’s Binyamin Brigade. The group, reportedly operating from southern Israel, is suspected of conducting multiple smuggling attempts into Judea and Samaria using unmanned aerial vehicles.
Following a period of covert surveillance and intelligence gathering, authorities moved to the open phase of the investigation, resulting in the arrests. During interrogations, the suspects admitted to involvement and implicated additional participants in the network.
Yesterday, prosecutors filed formal statements of charges against the suspects. In the next few days, the prosecution is expected to submit indictments and request that the suspects remain in custody until the conclusion of legal proceedings.
The operation highlights ongoing efforts by Israeli security forces to combat smuggling of weapons and illicit substances from Jordan into Palestinian-controlled areas.