(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Israel Customs Authority inspectors in the southern district intercepted an extremely large shipment of illegal cigarettes worth over NIS 4 million, heading out to sea off of the coast of Ashdod. The smugglers were using a very large raft. Agents and police operated on Sunday night the eve of 12 Iyar, making two arrests.

Customs agents were acting on intelligence information that the Ashdod office received. They were told a large shipment of cigarettes were being smuggled by boat. The raid took place seven kilometers (4.2 miles) from shore, inside Israeli territorial waters.

The raft was confiscated, towed into the Port of Ashdod and the two persons on board were taken into custody.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo Credit: דוברות רשות המסים ודוברות המשטרה)