Border Guard soldiers in the Jerusalem Encirclement, military police crossing fighters, Ministry of Agriculture inspectors and the Crossings Administration, thwarted a series of attempts to smuggle uninspected eggs with fake stamps, as well as 250 kg of uninspected meat and 150 kg of beans. Due to the danger to the public, the eggs were destroyed and criminal proceedings were opened against the suspects.
Fighters from the Jerusalem Encirclement Security Force, inspectors from the Central Enforcement and Investigations Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Crossings Directorate, thwarted several attempts to smuggle approximately 77,000 eggs sealed with forged seals and not inspected by the Palestinian Authority today (Tuesday) within a few hours.
Also, approximately 250 kg of beef and approximately 150 kg of unregulated beans were seized.
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Criminal proceedings were opened against the suspects, the vehicles were confiscated and the produce was destroyed, due to the danger to public health.
In the first case, Border Police fighters in the Jerusalem area thwarted the smuggling of approximately 57,000 eggs through the "Tunnel Crossing," which connects Gush Etzion to South Jerusalem.
The eggs were hidden in the cargo of a truck driven by a 38-year-old man, known to the forces following a conviction and fine for a similar incident in the past.
During the inspection of the luggage, the eggs were found to be sealed with a fake stamp.
An initial investigation by the Central Enforcement and Investigations Unit (CEU) revealed that the eggs were intended for sale within the Haredi community in Jerusalem. The initial investigation also revealed that the suspect claims that this took place without his knowledge.
In another case, about 15,000 eggs were seized at the Samaria crossing, with stamps from an unknown vendor. After inspection by inspectors, it was discovered that the stamps were fake.
In another case, Border Police soldiers in the Jerusalem Encirclement stopped a private vehicle at the a-Za'im checkpoint between Ma'ale Adumim and Jerusalem, which had arrived from the Beitar Illit area. The vehicle was driven by a 32-year-old woman from Jerusalem, and in the vehicle were found approximately 4,800 eggs sealed with a fake stamp, which were hidden in the back seat and trunk of the vehicle and intended for sale among the ultra-Orthodox community in Jerusalem.
Due to public health concerns, all the eggs were sent for destruction by order of a veterinarian. Criminal proceedings were opened against the suspects and their vehicles were impounded.
In additional enforcement activities, approximately 250 kg of unsupervised beef were seized, approximately 200 kg in the cargo of a vehicle at the Eliyahu Crossing and approximately 50 kg in the cargo of a vehicle at the A-Za'im checkpoint. In addition, at the Eliyahu Crossing, smuggling of approximately 150 kg of beans that were smuggled in a vehicle was thwarted.
The driver, a young resident of Taiba, presented a certificate that aroused suspicion, and after inspection it was discovered that it was fake and the product was not inspected.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security emphasizes that animal products, such as meat, eggs, and fish, are sensitive products that, if not stored and handled under proper conditions throughout the supply chain, may pose a real danger to public health.
The ministry adds that plant produce entering Israel in a regulated manner is monitored and controlled at border crossings by Ministry of Agriculture inspectors to ensure that it does not carry pests, lesions, pesticide residues, and other substances. The introduction of produce without supervision poses a danger to public health.
