Undercover agent leads to the arrest of over 50 weapons, drug traffickers, police say

The civilian agent was recruited to target criminals across Israel, supported operationally and through intelligence by Lahav 433.

An undercover agent led to the arrest of over 50 weapons and drug traffickers, Israel Police announced in a statement.

The undercover agent, codenamed "The Nobleman," worked under Lahav 433 over the past year to gather evidence against more than 50 suspects involved in weapons and cocaine trafficking worth thousands of shekels.

The agent, a civilian, was recruited to target criminals who were involved across Israel. The agent was accompanied and supported operationally and through intelligence by Lahav 433. They carried out more than 30 controlled and monitored transactions, such as the purchase of 18 pistols, three M16 rifles, and over 1.5 kilograms of cocaine.

Raiding the homes of weapons, drug traffickers

Dozens of Lahav 433 officers, National Guard, Border Police officers, and additional forces raided the homes of dozens of suspects across the country, arresting 48 suspects.

All the suspects were transferred to Lahav 433 offices for further investigation on suspicion of weapons trafficking, drug trafficking, conspiracy to commit a crime, and so on. The investigation will be conducted by the Central District Attorney's Office (Criminal), according to the police statement.

The detainees will be brought before the Rishon Lezion Magistrate's Court for hearings on extending their detention.

"The deployment of agents is an integral part of the broad and uncompromising campaign we are leading against serious crime, particularly organized crime, violent conflicts, and illegal weapons that reach criminal and even security-related hands," Deputy Commissioner Avsahlom Peled said.

"In a complex operation spanning wide areas of the country, Lahav’s Agents Department and Yachbal have crafted what seems like a fictional script: a key criminal figure transformed into an evidence-gathering machine at the heart of Israel’s criminal underworld, leading to the incrimination of more than 50 individuals involved in the illegal weapons trade in the Arab sector," Lahav 433 Commander Commissioner Meni Benyamin added.

"The operation and direction of this agent reflect the commissioner’s directive for determined, focused, and uncompromising action against crime in the Arab sector, out of commitment to citizen safety and upholding the rule of law."