Fight Against Protection Rackets: Contractors in Ashdod Required to Pay – Lahav 433 Steps In

A resident of Hura was arrested on suspicion of collecting protection money from contractors at construction sites in Ashdod, under the guise of security services. In joint raids by Lahav 433, Border Police, and Southern District Police, two vehicles, phones, a computer, and documents were seized. His detention was extended by four days until August 6. Police urge affected contractors to come forward and testify.

Police arrested a resident of Hura on suspicion of collecting protection money from contractors at construction sites in Ashdod, under the guise of security services. According to the suspicion, contractors managing projects in the industrial area were required to pay money for purported security services, when in reality it was protection racketeering. In joint raids by detectives from the Southern Protection Unit, Border Police National Guard fighters, special patrol unit fighters, and Southern District police officers, on homes and compounds at construction sites in Hura and Ashdod, the suspect, a member of a family allegedly involved in the affair, was arrested. An employee of the security company was also detained for questioning. During searches, two vehicles, mobile phones, a computer, and documents were seized and transferred for examination. The suspect was brought to a hearing at the Be'er Sheva Magistrate's Court, which extended his detention until August 6. Police called on contractors, business owners, and anyone who believes they were required to pay protection money to contact the police station or the 100 hotline and provide testimony. It was also reported that this activity joins hundreds of indictments filed in 2026 as part of the fight against the protection racket phenomenon.