Israeli Authorities Foil $6.8M Cigarette Smuggling Operation
Israeli authorities seized $6.8 million in smuggled cigarettes arriving from Turkey via Ashdod Port, arresting drivers and detaining importers.
Jerusalem, 19 May, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli authorities foiled a $6.8 million cigarette smuggling operation, the Israel Tax Authority said.
an investigation revealed that two containers arriving from Turkey via Ashdod Port were falsely declared as household goods. Following suspicions raised by customs officials, an undercover operation tracked the containers after they were loaded onto trucks heading toward the Judea and Samaria. The vehicles were intercepted, and the drivers, residents of eastern Jerusalem, were arrested. The importers and a customs agent were also detained for questioning.
A subsequent inspection uncovered large quantities of smuggled cigarettes.
