Multi-Million Dollar Jewelry Smuggle Attempt Foiled at BG Airport

Authorities on Wednesday thwarted a smuggling attempt at the Ben Gurion Airport of no fewer than 20 kilograms (45 pounds) of jewelry with an estimated worth in the millions of dollars.

In a joint operation of the Israel Tax Authority and Israel Police, three East Yerushalayim residents were arrested on suspicion of smuggling the jewelry into Israel.

The police detectives stationed at Israel’s primary gateway and customs officers spotted a passenger landing from Turkey and acting suspiciously during luggage claim. They requested him to pass his luggage through the customs screening station.

During the screening, the investigators identified valuable jewelry, including chains, rings, bracelets, gold coins, and even a crown.

Further investigation uncovered communications with two additional passengers that were arrested as well and a search of one of the suspect’s belongings revealed another cache of valuable jewelry.

The three suspects were taken in for questioning and later released on probation.