Police arrest 30 suspects in nationwide raids against illicit weapons trafficking.
By Pesach Benson, United with Israel
An police operation ended with the arrest of 30 suspects nationwide, including a Palestinian security officer who sold assault rifle and other weapons to an undercover agent on condition that they be “used against Jews,” Ynet reported on Monday.
The undercover agent was described as a former criminal and prisoner who turned state agent and used his contacts to purchase guns, assault rifles, ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and drugs, mostly in the Arab community.
The year-long Operation Silver Bullet culminated on Monday with police raids on locations in Jaffa, Lod, Ramla, Haifa, Kafr Qasim, Barta’a, and Sajur.
According to Ynet, the Palestinian security officer sold the agent an M-16 assault rifle, as well as improvised machine guns and pistols. That sale took place in northern Israel.
“After over a year of supreme police efforts we can say clearly – crime organizations in the Arab community took a hit they haven’t experienced in years, and it will take them years to recover, if at all,” said Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai.