After what the Israel Police called the longest operation of an undercover agent in its history, its officers arrested dozens of workers at the port of Ashdod, including senior officials, on a variety of charges related to corruption.
The undercover detective was code named “Jack Sparrow” as in the pirate played by Johnny Depp in the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Interestingly, Johnny Depp also played an FBI agent who worked undercover for many years pretending to be a mobster in New York in the movie “Donnie Brasco.” However, it is perhaps more likely the police chose the name of a pirate for the undercover agent since this case dolt with smuggling.
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The undercover operation, which lasted for four and a half years, uncovered alleged instances of allowing smuggling in exchange for bribes tax offenses and money laundering amounting to tens of millions in the port of Ashdod.
The arrests were the result of a complex and long-standing investigation, led by the Lakish District Attorney, Tel Aviv Customs and VAT Investigations and the Ashdod Customs House, accompanied by the Southern District Attorney’s Office and the legal unit for special cases at the Tax Authority.
The police stated that over time, the undercover agent cultivated relationships and gained trust with importers nationwide, as well as with customs agents representing them before the customs director at the Tax Authority. These included key targets known for their involvement in smuggling activities, some even linked to criminal organizations. The agent’s connections facilitated the swift entry of smuggled goods into the country.
The agent was also involved in numerous significant seizures by the Customs Administration at the Tax Authority. These seizures included containers filled with prohibited and illegal goods, such as weapons, ammunition concealed in rolled carpets, weapon parts hidden in boxes labeled as screws, large quantities of unauthorized “Kamagra” gel, welded weapon parts, dangerous drugs, tobacco, counterfeit products, substandard children’s products, and many other illicit items. These goods were intended for distribution throughout Israel.
