http://www3.haaretz.co.il/eng/scripts/article.asp?id=60878&mador=1&datee=11/9/99
Tuesday, November 9, 1999
IDF officers fingered in drug smuggling
By Sharon Gal
Dozens of IDF soldiers and a few officers
stationed in southern Lebanon are smuggling drugs
into Israel, according to intelligence
information obtained from a high-ranking police
superintendent.
Chief Superintendent Kobi Bachar, head of the
police's drug force in the northern district
until a month ago, told Ha'aretz yesterday that
the information had been given to highly placed
officers in the army, but that they had decided
not to act on it for various reasons.
According to the intelligence, most of the
soldiers involved are trackers serving in
Lebanon, and the soldiers and officers mainly act
as couriers, carrying drugs from dealers in
Lebanon to dealers in Israel. Police estimate
that between one and three tons of heroin is
smuggled into Israel each year over the Lebanon
border.
The drug activity has increased significantly in
recent months and according to Bachar, "The
phenomenon is spreading. This is widespread, and
it is not unheard of in the army. It's not only
trackers who are involved. The circles are
widening."
Bachar stressed that it is command post
personnel, rather than combat soldiers on the
front lines, who are involved in the trafficking.
According to Bachar, at least one senior officer,
a unit commander at the rank of major, is
involved in the drug-running. His predecessor in
the position was also apparently involved in drug
trade. "I have spoken personally with brigade
commanders. I gave them the information, but they
said they do not have the tools to deal with the
problem," says Bachar.
"Trackers have an easier time doing this because
no one keeps track of their movements in the
field."
Bachar explains that the Lebanese drug dealers
and Israeli soldiers get to know each other in
outposts shared by the IDF and the Southern
Lebanese Army, at the border crossings and when
Lebanese civilians bring supplies to the
outposts. It is estimated that a courier can make
up to $10,000 to transfer a kilo of heroin.
"When I raised the problem, there were senior
officers in the Northern Command who said there
was no alternative to the trackers," says Bachar.
"Those among the soldiers and officers dealing in
drugs make sure that during their drug
activities, the area is clear of soldiers and
police, so that the transfers can be conducted in
safety."
Bachar says that in recent months there has been
an increase in the attempts to smuggle drugs
across the Jordanian border. "The dealers know
hard times are ahead when Israel withdraws from
Lebanon. This is already evident from the
decreased amounts being smuggled."
The IDF spokesman responded by saying, "The
Investigative Military Police (Metsah) deal with
all intelligence information or complaints. When
such information or evidence accumulates, an
investigation is launched. At the moment, no such
investigation is ongoing.
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