Ashdod Port Customs Foils Massive Multi-Million Shekel Cigarette Smuggling Operation
Ashdod Port customs inspectors have intercepted a massive smuggling operation involving at least eight containers of cigarettes worth over 200 million shekels, originating from Egypt.
Customs inspectors and investigators at the Ashdod Port have foiled what is believed to be one of the largest tobacco smuggling operations in Israel's history. Authorities discovered at least eight containers packed with hundreds of thousands of cigarette packs, with a total estimated value exceeding 200 million shekels. The unpaid taxes on the contraband would have amounted to tens of millions of shekels.
According to Gil Haziz, director of the customs house at Ashdod Port, this marks the largest smuggling attempt he has ever witnessed and potentially the largest ever uncovered by customs. Haziz noted that beyond the severe economic damage and tax evasion, investigators are examining suspicions that a portion of the cigarettes was intended to be smuggled into the Gaza Strip for money laundering and terror financing.
The contraband arrived at the port as part of three separate shipments comprising 48 containers originating from Egypt, which were falsely declared as wheat flour. Routine inspections revealed that while some containers held flour, others were entirely packed with cigarettes intended for illegal distribution within the country.
Following the seizure, an investigation was opened by the Ashdod Drug and Customs Unit. The importer registered for the shipments was brought before the Ashkelon Magistrate's Court, where a judge extended his detention as inquiries continue.
Due to the unprecedented scale of the operation, investigative procedures began before inspections of all 48 containers could be fully concluded. Authorities indicated that the final tally may rise further as checks proceed on the remaining containers.
