Jerusalem, 18 May, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Police foiled what it described as a “massive” cigarette and tobacco smuggling operation from Jordan carried out via the Allenby Bridge crossing and arrested 20 suspects. The police say the suspects smuggled approximately 55,000 packs of cigarettes and tobacco products valued at over one million shekels.
The suspects are from the village of Al-Auja, located in the Jordan River Valley north of Jericho and some are Israeli citizens residing in Jerusalem.
According to suspicions, this cell operated in several instances to smuggle various goods, including tobacco products from Jordan to businesses in the Jericho area in the Jordan Valley, in violation of the law.