By Pesach Benson • 5 May, 2025
Jerusalem, 5 May, 2025 (TPS-IL) — In a major joint operation by police and the Tax Authority, five suspects were arrested on suspicion of laundering some 800 million shekels ($220 million) for the “Bakri” criminal organization, the Israel Police announced Monday.
Sunday’s arrest raids were the culmination of an investigation described as one of the largest of its kind. Police said their probe began after an unusual incident: During a routine police operation in the north, approximately 400,000 shekels ($110,000) in cash were thrown from a window. A suspect affiliated with Bakri was arrested on the spot, leading authorities to open a months-long undercover investigation into the organization’s finances.
The probe revealed an elaborate network of shell companies and five money changers allegedly used to funnel hundreds of millions of shekels through the system.
Police raided locations in Nazareth, Ashkelon, and the northern town of Timrat, seizing six vehicles, bank accounts, and real estate assets worth tens of millions of shekels. Among those arrested was an accountant, whose identity remains under a gag order.
“The Northern District has before its eyes an uncompromising war against criminal organizations that directly harm the public’s personal security,” said Sub-Lieutenant Eyal Harari, Commander of the Northern District’s Central Unit. “As part of that struggle, we worked with the tax authorities to cut off the economic oxygen supply of the Bakri organization, thereby directly harming its functioning.”
The Bakri organization is well known to authorities for its alleged involvement in extortion, protection rackets, shootings, and several murders in recent years. Police emphasized that targeting the group’s financial operations is a key step in undermining its influence.
Two of the suspects had their detention extended until May 12, and two others until May 7–8. The fifth suspect is expected to appear in court later today for a detention hearing.
