Massive Cigarette Smuggling Attempt Thwarted in Acre

Jerusalem, 15 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — During the night, the Israel Police thwarted an attempt to smuggle 4,500 packs of cigarettes worth approximately 2 million Shekels ($610,000) in the Acre beach area and arrested two suspects.

In an initiative by officers of Israel’s Sea Policing Unit, based on intelligence information, an ambush was carried out overnight against a gang of smugglers who were en route by speedboat to the Acre shore, after allegedly rendezvousing mid-sea with a merchant ship that had arrived from Cyprus with the cigarettes.

As the suspects (residents of Acre, in their 30s) began speeding toward the shore, the sea policing boats pursued the vessel, during which the suspects threw cigarette crates overboard in an attempt to conceal evidence and even rammed one of the police boats.

At a certain point, the two suspects jumped into the water in an attempt to escape, during which one was arrested and the other was seriously injured, received treatment, and was taken to a hospital.

All of the goods thrown into the water were recovered, and the smugglers’ boat was seized.

The investigation continues.