Israel Border Police officers found eight illegal residents hidden inside a large fuel tank on a pickup truck at the Tunnels checkpoint near Jerusalem over the weekend. The driver, a resident of East Jerusalem, was arrested, and a court has extended his remand.
According to the Israel Police, officers from the Border Police unit that operates along Jerusalem's perimeter stopped the pickup for inspection after the large fuel tank in its cargo bed raised their suspicions. When they searched the vehicle, they found eight suspects concealed inside the tank. Police said the eight are suspected of trying to enter Israel illegally.
The eight illegal residents and the driver were arrested and taken to the Moriah police station in the Jerusalem District for further questioning. The driver was brought before a court, which extended his remand until Monday, November 16.
The case is the latest in a string of inventive smuggling attempts uncovered recently around Jerusalem. Last week, according to the outlet, an illegal resident was arrested in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo after breaking into a home while disguised as a chareidi man, wearing a hat and with peiyos glued to his head.
In another case uncovered about a week ago, an illegal resident was arrested at the Az-Za'im checkpoint while driving six other illegal residents. He had gone to considerable lengths with his disguise, growing peiyos, wearing a kippah and dressing in chareidi clothing, allegedly to avoid inspection by security forces.
Security forces are continuing stepped-up enforcement at the crossings around Jerusalem to thwart smuggling and infiltration attempts into Israel.
