Israel Police on Tuesday morning 28 Elul arrested two senior Health Ministry officials along with two customs agents following an investigation into smuggling food additives for athletes.

A total of four persons are in custody, including two food engineers from the Health Ministry along with two customs agents; all on suspicion of receiving bribes from an importer in the field of sports to promote and approve the import of food additives for athletes without conducting the required testing. The investigation is being handled by the police 433 Lahav Unit, Israel’s equivalent of the FBI.

According to the evidence gathered, a very large importer imported food additives intended for athletes without gaining Health Ministry approval. Bribery was used to get the additives through the Port of Ashdod, which police fear may involve two other senior Health Ministry officials.

At this stage, the four suspects were arraigned before the Rishon L’Tzion Magistrate Court at noon on Tuesday.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)