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Central Israel Criminals Organized: 25 mafia members arrested
"Police arrested early Monday morning 25 people in the central region suspected of membership in a crime organization whose activities allegedly included murder hits, extortion, money laundering, and drug trafficking.
Central Region Police Cmdr. Benny Kaniak stated that the organization, headed by the Ayat and Hariri families from Jaljulya, was one of the most violent in Israel. Kaniak told Army Radio that the crime organization, which was actually an umbrella organization comprised of both Arab and Jewish crime families from Jaljulya, Petah Tikva, Rosh Ha'ayin, and villages in the Sharon area, would force their way into "partnership" with local businesses by demanding protection money. Messengers would bring business owners increasingly threatening demands which, if not met, would result in the use of violence.
According to First Sgt.-Major Rotem Gil, head of the police investigation branch, the suspects also acquired the private debts of businesspeople from third parties and added a "processing fee" to the amount owed by the debtors, who in most cases were too intimidated to turn to the police. One of the members of the organization, who had been recruited as a police informer, revealed that contractors and businesspeople would not only turn to the organization's leaders for informal arbitration in disputes, but would also order attacks or hits.
Gil confirmed to Israel Radio that the families have operated for a number of years as a mafia in every respect. He estimated their financial gains at millions of shekels, which were deposited in secret bank accounts. A prominent business figure from Rishon Lezion was filmed asking the family heads to "neutralize" Globes reporter Yitzhak Danon, who had gotten too close for the comfort when he reported certain details of the man's business transactions, which allegedly included money laundering.
Danon asked Kaniak in the Army Radio interview whether the police had in fact obtained information on a hit ordered on him, and if so, why police hadn't notified him. Kaniak responded that the police didn't "believe there was any danger." According to police estimation, Kaniak continued, the threats did not appear likely to be carried out, and therefore the police saw no reason to involve anyone else. Danon stated that he had not sensed that he was in any danger and that he intended to continue as usual with his work as a journalist.
Kaniak expressed his hope that the successful bust would show the Israeli public the extent of the police's endeavors, beyond their ongoing fight against terror and recent involvement in the disengagement from Gaza."
Source: 25 crime organization members arrested. www.JPost.com (29 August 2005) [FullText]
Central Region Police Cmdr. Benny Kaniak stated that the organization, headed by the Ayat and Hariri families from Jaljulya, was one of the most violent in Israel. Kaniak told Army Radio that the crime organization, which was actually an umbrella organization comprised of both Arab and Jewish crime families from Jaljulya, Petah Tikva, Rosh Ha'ayin, and villages in the Sharon area, would force their way into "partnership" with local businesses by demanding protection money. Messengers would bring business owners increasingly threatening demands which, if not met, would result in the use of violence.
According to First Sgt.-Major Rotem Gil, head of the police investigation branch, the suspects also acquired the private debts of businesspeople from third parties and added a "processing fee" to the amount owed by the debtors, who in most cases were too intimidated to turn to the police. One of the members of the organization, who had been recruited as a police informer, revealed that contractors and businesspeople would not only turn to the organization's leaders for informal arbitration in disputes, but would also order attacks or hits.
Gil confirmed to Israel Radio that the families have operated for a number of years as a mafia in every respect. He estimated their financial gains at millions of shekels, which were deposited in secret bank accounts. A prominent business figure from Rishon Lezion was filmed asking the family heads to "neutralize" Globes reporter Yitzhak Danon, who had gotten too close for the comfort when he reported certain details of the man's business transactions, which allegedly included money laundering.
Danon asked Kaniak in the Army Radio interview whether the police had in fact obtained information on a hit ordered on him, and if so, why police hadn't notified him. Kaniak responded that the police didn't "believe there was any danger." According to police estimation, Kaniak continued, the threats did not appear likely to be carried out, and therefore the police saw no reason to involve anyone else. Danon stated that he had not sensed that he was in any danger and that he intended to continue as usual with his work as a journalist.
Kaniak expressed his hope that the successful bust would show the Israeli public the extent of the police's endeavors, beyond their ongoing fight against terror and recent involvement in the disengagement from Gaza."
Source: 25 crime organization members arrested. www.JPost.com (29 August 2005) [FullText]
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