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It has been cleared for publication that a joint undercover investigation by the Economic Enforcement Division of Lahav 433, in cooperation with the Southern District Central Unit and the Israel Tax Authority, has led to the exposure of an infrastructure for importing drones from China.
According to suspicions, the drones and peripheral equipment were intended for transfer to criminal elements in the southern region and were used to carry out the smuggling of weapons and drugs.
At the center of the investigation is a company operating in the southern region that provides, among other things, guarding and security services. According to suspicions, the company served as a front for committing extensive customs and Value Added Tax (VAT) offenses during the importation of the drones, with company employees subsequently acting as intermediaries and suppliers of the equipment to entities involved in criminal smuggling. The investigation reveals that over a prolonged period, dozens of similar shipments of drones and related technological equipment were carried out.
Arrest of Suspects and Seizure of the Shipment
Yesterday, upon the arrival of another shipment of dozens of drones at a warehouse used by the company, forces moved to the overt phase of the operation. Police detectives, Customs and VAT investigation officers, along with the Israel Prison Service's K9 unit, raided the warehouse, arrested three suspects, and seized approximately 30 new drones alongside additional technological equipment.
Among those arrested are the company owner, a resident of Ashkelon in his 30s, and two other employees. The suspects are being interrogated on suspicion of committing offenses under the Customs Ordinance and the Value Added Tax Law, as well as suspicion of money laundering and conspiracy to commit a crime.
On Thursday, the suspects were brought before the court, which granted the police's request and extended the detention of two of them until August 25, 2026, while the third suspect was released under restrictive conditions.
The police note that the investigation is ongoing and further arrests are expected.
