Inside cans: Drugs smuggled into Gaza in aid shipments

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) reported that drugs were smuggled into the Gaza Strip inside cans of peppers that arrived in humanitarian aid shipments. The organization WCK identified six packages of hashish weighing 600 grams and approximately 160 grams of other prohibited substances in its kitchens. COGAT condemned the smuggling and claimed it illustrates the exploitation of aid by Hamas.

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced today that drugs were smuggled into the Gaza Strip inside food products intended for humanitarian aid. The announcement was based on a report by the World Central Kitchen (WCK) organization, which, during the unloading of aid shipments and food preparation in its kitchens in the Strip, discovered drugs concealed inside cans of peppers. The cans contained six packages of hashish with a total weight of approximately 600 grams, as well as about 160 grams of other prohibited substances. COGAT strongly condemned the smuggling and claimed that the incident illustrates Hamas's attempts to exploit aid mechanisms for its own purposes. The unit stated that it would continue to work with all relevant parties against the misuse of humanitarian aid.