Israel's Prison Service has foiled an attempt to smuggle drugs into Ella Prison after a months-long undercover operation led to the arrest of an inmate and a resident of Beitar Illit, according to Srugim News.
As part of a covert operation run by the Prison Service's Central Unit, an undercover agent from the unit's agent division was deployed in recent months following an attempt by an inmate to bring drugs into Ella Prison. During the operation, the inmate approached the agent, a staff member operating as part of the covert investigation, and allegedly offered him payment in exchange for smuggling drugs into the facility. As part of the operation, the agent received material suspected to be cannabis from a resident of Ashkelon, and later received payment from the inmate.
Last week, at the conclusion of the undercover investigation, the Prison Service and Israel Police carried out a joint operational action. Prison Service Central Unit detectives arrested the inmate inside the prison, while police simultaneously arrested a Beitar Illit resident suspected of involvement in transferring the drugs. Both suspects were transferred for continued questioning by the police investigative unit operating within the Prison Service.
The Prison Service said in a statement that it will continue to use its full range of intelligence, investigative and operational capabilities to thwart attempts to smuggle prohibited items into detention facilities, expose criminal infrastructure, and safeguard the security of prison facilities while strengthening governance within the incarceration system.
