http://www.smh.com.au/news/9911/10/world/world12.html
Israeli troops accused of cross-border drug smuggling
By ROSS DUNN, Herald Correspondent In Jerusalem
Israeli soldiers stationed in southern Lebanon have been smuggling heroin into the
Jewish state, Israeli police allege.
The gang comprises dozens of soldiers and some officers in the Israeli Defence
Forces, according to Police Chief Superintendent Kobi Bacher, who until recently
headed a task force on illegal drugs in the country's northern district.
Police estimate that between one and three tonnes of heroin is being smuggled into
Israel from Lebanon each year and that the practice is growing.
''The phenomenon is spreading,'' Superintendent Bacher told the Hebrew daily
Ha'aretz . ''This is widespread.''
He said information had been passed on to senior Israeli army officers but, for
reasons not made public, they had so far decided not to take any action.
''I have spoken personally with brigade commanders,'' he said. ''I gave them the
information but they said they do not have the tools to deal with the problem.''
Superintendent Bacher said the soldiers involved were mainly acting as couriers,
carrying illegal drugs from dealers in Lebanon to dealers in Israel.
He said at least one senior officer with the rank of major was involved in the drug
running.
The Lebanese and Israeli drug dealers came to know each other in military
outposts shared by the Israeli army and their Lebanese allies in the Southern
Lebanese Army, he said.
The dealers also came into contact with each other at border crossings and during
those times when Lebanese civilians brought supplies to the outposts.
''Those among the soldiers and officers dealing in drugs make sure that during
their drug activities, the area is clear of [other] soldiers and police so that the
transfers can be conducted in safety,'' Superintendent Bacher said.
He also said in recent months there had been an increase in the number of
attempts to smuggle drugs across the Jordanian border.
Superintendent Bacher said this activity had intensified following the
announcement earlier this year by the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ehud Barak, of
plans to withdraw all Israeli troops from southern Lebanon by July next year.
''The dealers know hard times are ahead when Israel withdraws from Lebanon,''
he said.
There has been only a terse statement from the Israeli Defence Forces in
response to the accusations.
An IDF spokesman said the military police gathered intelligence on such matters.
''When such information or evidence accumulates, an investigation is launched,''
the spokesman said. ''At the moment, no such investigation is ongoing.''
