Jebinta Cusub
Authorities Nab 15 Suspects in $2.9M Cigarette Smuggling Case
Israeli authorities foil $2.9M cigarette smuggling ring, nabbing 15 suspects in joint raid at Akko port. Eight crew members and seven distributors arrested.
Jerusalem, 12 August, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israeli Police and Tax Authority thwarted a cigarette smuggling operation worth over 10 million shekels ($2.9 million). In a joint raid at the Akko port, officers intercepted a ship arriving from egypt offloading cigarette crates to a waiting motorboat. The motorboat was due to deliver the goods to suspects ready to distribute them.
Authorities arrested eight crew members and seven suspects involved in the scheme. The smuggling vessel is now held under customs supervision at Ashdod port and faces confiscation.
