Police arrest 33 reputed mobsters in overnight raids throughout Israel
Alleged crime boss Michael Mor is among the detainees.
By DANIEL K. EISENBUDThese weapons were seized during raids in the North that led to the arrest of 33 wanted gangsters(photo credit: COURTESY ISRAEL POLICE)
Following an intensive yearlong undercover operation into organized crime, police arrested 33 alleged mobsters – including perhaps the country’s most notorious gangster, Michael Mor – during overnight raids in the North on Saturday.Over the course of the investigation, an undercover officer surreptitiously embedded himself within several reputed crime organizations accused of selling weapons to Arabs, and drug trafficking.“After establishing his position and acquiring the trust of the suspects, the agent made a large number of acquisitions and transactions of weapons and drugs, while collecting incriminating evidence against influential criminals in these areas,” the police said. “The agent acquired various weapons, including two Carl Gustav-type submachine guns, an M-16, an MP5 submachine gun, an FN pistol, a Beretta pistol with a silencer, a Glock pistol and other guns of various types.”During the early morning, more than 250 detectives, investigators and Border Police officers from multiple units simultaneously raided their homes in Ramat Gan, Petah Tikva, Afula, Migdal Ha’emek, Nahariya, Umm el-Fahm and Umm el-Ghanam.While few details of the investigation have emerged due to a gag order, police said weapons, ammunition, over half a kilo of cocaine, three kilos of marijuana and vehicles were seized, as well as NIS 200,000 in cash.All the detainees were arraigned at the Nazareth Magistrate’s Court, where the presiding judge extended their remands by up to nine days.Mor, a 39-year-old resident of Ramat Gan, who has a lengthy record of criminal activity, was the only suspect identified by police.Among the litany of charges levied against the suspects are operating a criminal enterprise, selling drugs, illegal weapons and ammunition, and trading in stolen vehicle parts.The police praised the undercover officer who infiltrated the gangs as “courageous, creative and meticulous,” adding that the operation will continue to identify and arrest arms and drug dealers throughout the country.“The agent’s undercover work is part of a continuous and determined struggle against the use, maintenance and trade of weapons and drugs,” police said. “The connection between drug trafficking and the possession of illegal weapons directly harms the basic and personal security of normal citizens, and therefore constitutes the object of uncompromising police activity.”
