IDF, police thwart weapons smuggling from Lebanon

Israel Police and IDF forces thwarted an attempt to smuggle 43 pistols from Lebanon on Friday night near the cross-border village of Ghajar.

Forces launched flares and scanned the area after suspicious movement was detected and suspects identified transferring weapons from southern Lebanon into Israel. The suspects were detected using various means, both overt and covert, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said.

“IDF forces monitor everything that is happening along the border, and are working hard to combat the phenomenon of drug and weapon smuggling from the Lebanese border,” the statement added.

The smuggling attempt was estimated to value NIS 2.7 million.

Police and the IDF are conducting an investigation into the incident, including the possibility that it was aided by Hezbollah.

At least five significant drug and weapon smuggling attempts have been thwarted since the beginning of the year by the IDF and Israel Police.

In February, 12 kg. of drugs were seized in the area of Dovev and one suspect was arrested in Israel; in early April, two pistols and 2 kg. of drugs were seized in the area of Metulla, with several suspects arrested; in early June, 15 pistols, dozens of cartridges and 36 kg. of drugs were seized and several suspects arrested; and in mid-June, 12 pistols were seized in the area of Metulla and one suspect arrested in Israel.

Last week the IDF said it believes that Hajj Khalil Harb, a top Hezbollah official, is operating a drug and weapons smuggling operation over the border.

Even though Hezbollah receives significant financial aid from supporters who live abroad, as well as through charities, the group relies on a wide variety of criminal activities – such as money laundering through shell companies, fraud, and the trade of drugs, arms and blood diamonds.

The group also relies on a worldwide network of criminal and narcotic rings.