IDF seizes NIS 3.5m worth of drugs at Egyptian border

In total, the IDF seized NIS3.5m worth of illegal drugs, weighing approximately 100 kilograms. The smugglers' vehicles and equipment were also seized and turned over to Israel Police.

 Drugs confiscated by the IDF on the Egyptian border on the evening of September 29, 2022.  (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)
Drugs confiscated by the IDF on the Egyptian border on the evening of September 29, 2022.
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)

Israeli security forces identified several individuals on Thursday night who were suspected of smuggling drugs across the border with Egypt and caught them. 

In total, the IDF seized NIS3.5m worth of illegal drugs, weighing approximately 100 kilograms. The smugglers' vehicles and equipment were also seized and turned over to Israel Police.

Operation Negev Shield

The IDF began formally combating drug smugglers two years ago with the commencement of Operation Magen Hanegev (Negev Shield). The operation is massive, both in terms of manpower and volume of confiscated drugs and weapons. 

According to a recent Jerusalem Post report, the operation also targets marijuana greenhouses built in live-fire zones and cracks down on infiltrations into military bases in order to steal weapons. 

 The vehicle used by the smugglers to carry out the attempted smuggling, which was thwarted by the IDF on the Egyptian border on the evening of September 29, 2022.  (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)
The vehicle used by the smugglers to carry out the attempted smuggling, which was thwarted by the IDF on the Egyptian border on the evening of September 29, 2022. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)

Recently, Israel seized 300 illegal weapons as well as about NIS 135m. worth of drugs on the Jordanian and Egyptian borders.