Police Chief After Major Raid: 'Every Week We Seize Enough Weapons to Equip a Battalion'

Police Commissioner Danny Levy addressed a large-scale raid in the south, during which dozens of suspects were arrested for extortion and protection racketeering. He said that a crime organization that tried to take over Ashdod will not operate in the near future, and promised to crush crime in the Arab community. According to him, every weekend, a quantity of weapons sufficient to equip a battalion is seized.

Police Commissioner, Chief Superintendent Danny Levy, addressed today (Tuesday) the extensive raid aimed at dismantling a crime organization in the south, saying the organization suffered a severe blow. According to him, "A crime organization simply decided to take over Ashdod, and so it shall be. Several agents were active. That organization will not operate in the near future." The raid took place early morning in Ashdod, Kiryat Gat, and other locations, following a covert investigation lasting over a year. Dozens of suspects were arrested on suspicion of protection racketeering, extortion with threats, and other offenses. Southern District Commander, Superintendent Haim Bublil, said, "Criminals active in the Lachish area received a mortal blow." Commander of the Central Unit of the Lachish area, Chief Superintendent Shahar Levy, said the suspects threatened restaurants and businesses in the delivery sector, and crime organizations took over these lines and businesses. Levy also addressed the fight against crime in the Arab community, saying, "We are going to grind crime in the Arab sector." He added that every weekend the police seize "an enormous quantity of weapons, enough to equip a battalion of paratroopers or Golani," and that the weapons come from smuggling and thefts from the IDF. Levy claimed a decrease in crime indices, noting a decline in property crimes, violence, murder, and attempted murder. He also referred to police investigations into its activities on October 7, saying, "I feel immense pride as a commander for what we did on October 7 - we lifted the State of Israel, and we will also save it from the criminals who simply took over the state for years."