Breaking Update
Seven Arrested on Suspicion of Extortion
Seven arrested in Jerusalem for extortion and loan sharking, seizing $86,000 cash. Suspects used violence and laundered money via smuggled tobacco.
Jerusalem, 4 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Seven people were arrested on suspicion of extortion and the collection of protection money. The police also seized approximately 270,000 Shekels ($86,000) in cash.
According to suspicion, the suspects are engaged in providing loans at prohibited interest rates to residents of the village and the surrounding area, and when the borrowers fail to repay their debts, the suspects employ enforcers who work to collect the debt through shooting and violence.
The investigation also reveals that the suspects are working to launder some of the loan money by purchasing smuggled tobacco products from the territories.
