IDF Thwarts Drug Smuggling on Egyptian Border

18 October, 2020   |   3 years ago

Jerusalem, 18 October, 2020 (TPS) -- IDF forces on Saturday night were successful in preventing the smuggling of drugs into Israel from Egypt.

An IDF spokesperson stated that troops operating in the area “identified an approach to the fence from the Egyptian side of the border.”

“Directed by IDF observation forces, the troops reached the spot and thwarted the smuggling,” the IDF added.

14 bags of drugs were seized in the area and transferred for further treatment of the Israel Police.

Israeli forces periodically clash with smugglers on the border with Egypt, a major smuggling route for drugs, weapons and women into Israel.

Israel in recent years has built a fence along the Egyptian border to block the flow of work migrants coming to the country from Africa through Egypt.

The tall fence has also been helpful in slowing down the prolific smuggling trade from Egypt into Israel, mostly the work of local Bedouin tribes.