IDF reservist indicted over stolen IDF rifle, drug ring that supplied soldiers

A reservist and a civilian were indicted on Monday over the theft and trafficking of an M16 rifle stolen from an IDF base in northern Israel. The investigation uncovered a drug network supplying cocaine and other drugs to soldiers. An IDF major is expected to be indicted separately.

On Monday, August 3, 2026, a reservist and a civilian were indicted over the theft and alleged trafficking of an M16 rifle taken from an IDF base in northern Israel, according to a joint statement by Israel Police and the military. The investigation, which began on June 20 after Military Police received a report of the stolen rifle, expanded to uncover a suspected drug trafficking network that allegedly sold cocaine and other drugs, including to soldiers inside military bases in northern Israel. A 30-year-old reservist noncommissioned officer from Tiberias was arrested on suspicion of stealing the rifle from a soldier in his unit. A 30-year-old Kiryat Tivon resident was arrested for receiving the rifle. The investigation also implicated a 34-year-old Tiberias resident in operating the drug network. An IDF major, the reservist's brother, is suspected of obstruction of justice and conspiracy, and allegedly supplied medical cannabis to the other suspects. The Northern District Attorney's Office filed an indictment against the Kiryat Tivon resident on charges of trafficking in the stolen weapon, while the Military Prosecution indicted the reservist. An indictment against the major is expected later.