The forbidden delicacy that led to an arrest in Jenin: Hundreds of frozen birds seized in raid

Detectives from the YAMAR Erez unit, inspectors from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, and Border Police fighters raided the homes of two suspects in Umm al-Fahm and the village of 'Anin in the Jenin area, seizing hundreds of frozen specimens of the blackcap warbler. The investigation began following intelligence information on trade in thousands of protected birds. The arrest of one suspect was extended until Wednesday.

Detectives from the Central Unit of the Border Police (YAMAR Erez), inspectors from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA), and Border Police fighters in Judea and Samaria raided yesterday (Monday) the homes of two suspects - a resident of Umm al-Fahm and a resident of the village of 'Anin in the Jenin area. The investigation began following initial intelligence information received by the YAMAR Border Police Coast unit, according to which the suspects traded in thousands of protected birds and sold them to customers across the country for substantial sums of money. During the searches, hundreds of frozen specimens of the blackcap warbler were seized, assessed as part of a wider supply chain. The arrest of one suspect was extended at the Tiberias Magistrate's Court until Wednesday, and the second suspect will be brought to a hearing on extending his arrest. The blackcap warbler is a migratory songbird protected by law in Israel, and hunting, holding, or trading in it is completely prohibited. Despite the ban, the bird is considered a sought-after delicacy in Mediterranean basin countries, and in Cyprus it is used as an ingredient in the illegal dish "Ambelopoulia". Hunting is carried out in the autumn seasons using mist nets and lime sticks.