Umm al-Fahm Smuggler Arrested

By Hamodia Staff

YERUSHALAYIM – In an ongoing crackdown on terrorism and smuggling, police said on Wednesday that they arrested a resident of Umm al-Fahm who has been running a “pirate” crossing between Israel and the area of Yehuda and Shomron.

The suspect was charged with “systematically” smuggling assault rifles, pistols, stolen cars and other goods.

The crossing of the security fence where he operated, which is located near his home, was also used by workers without permits to enter Israel, with the help of smugglers who took fees of hundreds of shekels for each person.

Police also said that three residents of Umm al-Fahm were arrested in April, before the investigation became public, though they would not disclose whether the man they arrested on Wednesday was one of them.

Israeli security forces have been working to seal holes in the security barrier since a series of deadly terror attacks were carried out by Palestinians who used them to enter Israel illegally.