Israeli police arrested two Bedouin cousins, aged 16 and 20 from Al-Azazma, on suspicion of smuggling 45 kg of hashish into Egypt via drone. For the first time in the Southern District, they were investigated under a new penal code section against cross-border sovereignty violations, carrying up to nine years in prison. The prosecution is expected to file an indictment on Tuesday.
The Southern District Prosecutor's Office is expected to file an indictment on Tuesday against two Bedouin cousins, aged 16 and 20 from the Al-Azazma tribe, arrested on suspicion of smuggling 45 kg of hashish into Egypt via a drone. The suspects were caught following a ground chase; their vehicle contained the drone, remote controls, and mobile phones.
As The Zioneer reported earlier today (Mon 13:44), this is the first case in the Southern District where smugglers are being charged under Section 122(a) of the penal code — a new offense targeting cross-border sovereignty violations, carrying up to nine years in prison, enacted to tighten enforcement against smuggling beyond official crossings.
The investigation reportedly revealed that the drone performed multiple flights on the same day of the arrest. A statement of charges was filed yesterday, and the prosecution will request the suspects be held until the end of legal proceedings. The case may signal a shift in enforcement against the drone-smuggling phenomenon, though authorities have not yet indicated whether this represents a wider policy change.
2 developments
- DevelopingIndictment filed against Bedouin suspected of smuggling weapons from Egypt via drone network
- StrongPolice release drone footage of July 17 drug bust: 70 kg of hashish seized from Rahat cell
- DevelopingIsraeli forces thwart smuggling cell using drone along Egypt border
- DevelopingPolice arrest three suspects attempting to smuggle 70 kg of hashish to Jordan
Source and signal
- Open-source intake