Border Police thwart weapon smuggling from Jerusalem to West Bank

Weapon smuggling is not rare, however the quantity was unusual.

By UDI SHAHAM
Updated: AUGUST 22, 2017 23:10
A checkpoint outside Isawiya (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
A checkpoint outside Isawiya
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
The Border Police in cooperation with the Defense Ministry’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories unit seized a truck loaded with weapon parts in Jerusalem on Tuesday, which was on its way to the West Bank.
COGAT environmental protection inspectors and a Border Police force caught the truck at the Ein Yael checkpoint in southern Jerusalem.
While checking a garbage truck, the inspectors found dozens of M-16 rifle parts among the trash.
After questioning the driver, they learned that his intention was to smuggle the weapons to the village of Idna, 13 km. west of Hebron.
Police sappers examined the truck on the spot, and it was then taken for further examination and scanning by the Border Police.
The driver and a passenger were arrested.
The Border Police commander of the checkpoint said that weapon smuggling is not rare, but this quantity of weapons is unusual.
Benny Elbaz, the COGAT environmental protection officer, said that the David Unit that is in charge of environmental affairs is working on a daily basis to prevent smuggling to the West Bank in garbage, and often it finds hidden objects.
“The truck will be taken now for screening, and we will see how many parts [of M-16 rifles] were hidden in it,” he said.