Six residents of Beersheva and northern Israel were arrested for stealing thirty-three M-16 rifles from the S’dei Teiman Base in southern Israel last month. They sold the weapons to crime families in the north and south of Israel, the police report states.

Police have recovered 11 of the weapons that were stolen as well as three other guns. They also recovered a large quantity of different illegal drugs and vehicles used in the operation.

Early into the investigation police learned of the involvement of two brothers, painting contractors who worked in the base and police detectives began monitoring their activities using various technological means. During the observation period, police learned how they got the weapons and removed them from the base.

On Friday morning May 27, 2017, police launched the raid and found dozens of weapons. Weapons were covered in the trunk of a vehicle which arrived at a gas station on Highway 6, where the suspects exchanged vehicles.

Police report the weapons and drugs confiscated have a value of 200,000 shekels. They also recovered assorted military items including flak jackets, lasers and more.

Police also plan to confiscate one million NIS from their sales as well as four vehicles worth some 400,000 NIS.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)