Indictment Filed in Ashdod Delivery Market Extortion and Money Laundering Case
An indictment was filed in Ashdod against Eyal Nagar and Maor Azriel for alleged extortion, protection racketeering, and millions in money laundering within the local delivery market.
An indictment was filed against Eyal Nagar and Maor Azriel following a lengthy investigation into an alleged extortion and money-laundering scheme targeting the delivery market in Ashdod. The Southern District Prosecutor's Office filed the charges after Nagar spent 56 cumulative days in detention.
The case, dubbed Operation "Messenger Race," involves allegations of extortion, protection racketeering, and money laundering totaling millions of shekels. According to the indictment, the two defendants sought to monopolize the local delivery sector and eliminate market competition through severe intimidation.
The Undercover Police Operation
The covert investigation, which spanned from May 2025 to August 2026, utilized undercover agents posing as delivery workers and rival business operators. Police even established a fictitious delivery company named "Olam HaMishlochim" to test the suspects' methods.
During the probe, Azriel allegedly warned an undercover agent about the local hierarchy.
"You cannot do deliveries in Ashdod... There is a hierarchy here, only 'Mr. Mishlouch' works in Ashdod."
Threats and Financial Crimes
The indictment details aggressive threats made against individuals attempting to launch rival services or communication groups for business owners. In one instance, Azriel allegedly threatened someone who created a WhatsApp group for local couriers, demanding its immediate closure to protect his livelihood.
Prosecutors claim that Nagar operated as the hidden owner of "Mr. Mishlouch" since at least 2023, concealing his involvement from tax authorities. Nagar faces charges involving approximately 1,300 illegal property transactions valued at around 7.7 million shekels, while Azriel is linked to deposits and transactions exceeding 27 million shekels. Additional charges are expected against Nagar's partner.
