Israel Defense Forces intercept drone carrying drugs PHOTO

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has reported foiling an attempt to smuggle drugs across the country’s western border.

On November 24, defence forces detected a drone entering Israel from the west carrying drugs, Caliber.Az reports, citing the IDF press office.

“Forces operating in the Paran Brigade area pursued the suspect involved in the smuggling attempt. The military apprehended the suspect, intercepted the drone, and seized the vehicle and the drone used to transport the narcotics. The suspect and the collected evidence have been handed over to security authorities for further investigation,” the statement read.

In recent months, Israel has seen a sharp surge in drone‑assisted smuggling along its border with Egypt, with the IDF reporting nearly 900 attempted incursions bringing in drugs, cigarettes, and firearms.

To counter this, Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered the area along the Egypt border declared a closed military zone and backed more aggressive rules of engagement to target those operating the smuggling drones.

The IDF claims these smuggling networks are highly organised, using large agricultural‑grade UAVs that can carry sizable loads, and they employ electronic warfare systems to intercept many of the drones.

By Jeyhun Aghazada