Israel Police officers seized over 5 million shekels in cash, as well as weapons and ammunition across several neighborhoods in the Bedouin city of Rahat, near Beersheba in southern Israel, the police confirmed on Thursday.
The operations, which have taken place over the past week, aimed to "prevent and thwart criminal intent and shooting incidents," police stated.
During a search in Rahat's 18th neighborhood, police officers located a suitcase containing over NIS 5 million, which is suspected to have originated from money laundering and tax offenses, police confirmed.
Two suspects were taken in for questioning at the National Crime Unit (Lahav 433)'s National Economic Crimes Unit.
In the city's 26th neighborhood, officers assisted by a police canine unit located a pistol, cartridges, and 5.56 caliber ammunition. The owner was arrested and transferred to the local police station for questioning.
Bnei Brak resident suspected of running illegal brothel in Tel Aviv apartment
In a separate incident, police officers on Wednesday night arrested a Bnei Brak resident suspected of operating an illegal brothel in a central Tel Aviv apartment.
Several individuals, suspected of seeking prostitution services, were also located at the site, police noted.
During a search of the apartment, police found and seized several items that indicated illegal conduct, including means used for sexual services, and approximately NIS 30,000 in cash.
The alleged brothel owner was released "under restrictive conditions," and the investigation is ongoing, police said.