Two Ashdod residents are in custody as customs authority officials during Pesach learned of an operation to smuggle expensive alcoholic beverages and cigarettes into Israel via the Taba Crossing in Eilat. Officials estimate they avoided paying NIS tens of thousands in taxes.

It appears one of the smugglers purchased expensive items at the Taba duty free and persuaded returning Israelis to carry the items across the border to his friend waiting on the Israeli side. Each bottle purchased was at least NIS 1,500. Tax on such a bottle in Israel would be 200%.

The two were found to have a quantity of expensive whiskeys and cigarettes in their possession at the time of their arrest. The goods were confiscated by customs officials.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)