Hundreds of officers take part in a protection racket crackdown, 59 arrested

Dozens of suspects were arrested early Monday morning in a large-scale police operation following a lengthy undercover investigation by the Coastal District’s Central Unit and Lahav 433.

The investigation, which lasted ten months, entered its open phase Monday morning when about 500 law enforcement officers raided locations across the country. Fifty-nine suspects were arrested.

According to police, criminal elements imposed themselves on contractors and forced them to use their “security” services under the guise of protecting their property. In practice, the alleged “security” services were not provided, yet tens of thousands of shekels were paid for each site.

The “security” arrangement thus allegedly became an extortion scheme in which the very people offering to protect the property were also the ones threatening it.

The suspects were taken for questioning at the offices of the Coastal District’s Central Unit and Lahav 433. Later today, they will be brought before the Haifa Magistrate’s Court for a remand hearing. “The Israel Police will continue to act proactively, aggressively and uncompromisingly against criminal organizations, uncover extortion schemes and target the financial infrastructure that supports them,” a statement said.

The investigation is ongoing.