IDF soldiers thwart drug smuggling attempt at Egyptian border, two arrested

IDF soldier intercepted a group of drug smugglers at the Israeli-Egyptian border and arrested two suspects on Friday, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit.

The suspects were taken into custody for questioning and the drugs were confiscated. 

The drugs had a total street value of approximately NIS 5 million (approximately $1,390,000 USD), including a bag that contained 21 kg of marijuana with a street value of NIS 2.35 million (approximately $654,000 USD), and 26 kg of a drug believed to be hashish, worth a further NIS 2.35 million.

Drug smuggling attempts at the Egyptian border

Throughout 2023, the IDF reported that it thwarted 30 drug smuggling attempts, preventing drugs valued at approximately half a billion shekels from reaching Israel.

As The Jerusalem Post reported last week, in the last few weeks alone there have been several thwarted smuggling attempts from Egypt. These attempts have included more than NIS 300,000 worth of drugs in one incident and NIS 6 million in another.

According to the IDF, Israeli smugglers can make a profit of $50,000-$70,000 in one smuggling attempt that has up-front costs of $150,000, while those on the Egyptian side of the border fence can profit $25,000-$35,000 for an attempt with an initial cost of $50,000.

A 2014 report, published by the European Union, indicated that a significant quantity of drugs brought into Israel are for domestic use and not entering the country as part of a trafficking route.

"Israel is not a major narcotics producing or trafficking country, but has a significant domestic market for illegal drugs, facing an increasing demand for cocaine, hashish and marijuana, as well as heroin, LSD and ecstasy," the report states.

According to the report, in Israel's adult population (aged 18-40), 11.4% reported using some kind of illegalsubstance in the year 2013. Among this percentage, 8.9% reported using cannabis and 1.9% reported using "other drugs."