Negev: 39 suspected drug dealers arrested in undercover op

Marks second time in a week female agent used to catch suspected narcotics smugglers in area.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
Police agent receives award 311 (photo credit: Israel Police)
Police agent receives award 311
(photo credit: Israel Police)
Two hundred police officers in the Negev arrested 39 suspected drug dealers during a series of surprise raids early Thursday, following information received from a female undercover police agent who had been sent to gather intelligence on the suspects in recent months.
It was the second time in a week in which a female agent was used by Negev Subdistrict Police to arrest suspected narcotics smugglers. The agent used in Thursday’s raids “purchased drugs from dealers who distributed narcotics near recreational centers and night clubs in Beersheva, Netivot, and Ofakim,” police said.
She was awarded a certificate of excellence by Southern Police District head Cmdr. Yohanan Danino in a ceremony held shortly before the raids.
The suspects allegedly dealt in Ecstasy, cocaine and hashish, andoperated from within “drug stations situated near entertainmentdistricts,” police said.
The raids on the suspects’ homes were conducted under the direction ofNegev police head Dep.-Cmdr. Avshalom Peled. The agent, who could notbe named, was recruited into the Negev Police’s Undercover Agents Unitfour months ago, where she underwent special training.
Last week, 13 suspected drug dealers operating out of Beduin villageswere arrested following the deployment of an undercover police agent.In April, 32 suspected drug dealers were arrested in the same manner.