An indictment is expected to be filed against two Bedouin from the Al-Azazma town located in the Negev on suspicion of smuggling approximately 45 kilograms of drugs through the Egyptian border by way of a drone.
In addition to the charges of importing a dangerous drug and endangering human life, they are also expected to be charged under a new offense of violating the state's sovereignty at the borders, something that was never before used in a case in the Southern District.
This new offense is intended to aid in enforcing and punishing illegal cross-border smuggling, with a penalty of up to nine years in prison.
The two suspects, aged 16 and 20, are cousins. They were arrested along the Egyptian border during a targeted operation targeting drone-using smuggling gangs carried out by officers from the Southern Border Patrol Unit and the Southern Border Patrol's undercover unit.
Using police and IDF intelligence, security forces identified a drone suspected of having made several crossings between Israel and Egypt. The drone was later observed landing in Israeli territory.
Suspects brought in for questioning
Following this, members of the gang operating the drone were identified, and police observed them removing something from a vehicle, which was later seized and confirmed to be approximately 45 kilograms of hashish.
The two suspects fled on foot but were quickly caught and arrested.
A search of the suspects' vehicle yielded a drone, remote controls for operating the drone, and mobile phones. Further, materials discovered showed that the seized drone allegedly made several flights over the border that day.
Both suspects have been transferred to Israel Police’s Southern District Police Headquarters for questioning.