Agent leads to arrest of 54 drugs, arms dealers

The suspects were arrested in early morning raids, marking the end of an undercover police operation dubbed “Cedar of Lebanon.”

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
An undercover police agent operating across the Central region over the past year gathered incriminating evidence against 54 suspected arms and drug dealers, police announced on Monday.
The suspects were arrested in early morning raids, marking the end of an undercover police operation dubbed “Cedar of Lebanon.”
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The agent bought illegal goods in Lod, Petah Tikva, Kafr Kasim and Jaljulya, procuring heroin, hashish, marijuana and Ecstasy, as well as automatic rifles and handguns.
Two bombs were purchased from a minor in Lod, police said.
“The agent’s work uncovered a criminal connection between regular narcotics supply and the procurement of drugs,” police said.
Twenty-seven alleged arms dealers were based in Lod, which has experienced a wave of homicides in recent days within the Arab community.
Speaking to officers in Petah Tikva before the raids, Cmdr. Bentzi Sao, head of the police’s Central District, addressed demands that the force stem the tide of violence in Lod: “We are not in a reality TV show or a movie. This can’t be done in an instant. Continue onwards in what you are doing,” he said.
The undercover agent was presented with an award during the meeting in Petah Tikva, where his relatives first learned of his true activities over the past 12 months.