As part of the covert phase of the investigation, Lahav 433 established a front construction company to gather evidence.
Eleven suspects were arrested on Monday in a coordinated operation targeting an alleged protection racket that extorted contractors at construction sites in Rishon LeZion, including the national Shafdan Wastewater Treatment Plant project, Israel Police confirmed.
The arrests followed a year-long undercover investigation led by Lahav 433, in cooperation with the Southern District police and Border Police.
Authorities said the suspects, many from the Bedouin town of Hura, are accused of extortion, aggravated offenses, and money laundering, allegedly operating under the guise of providing legitimate security services.
Investigators claim the group systematically demanded “protection fees” from contractors, threatening damage and theft if payments were not made.
As part of the covert phase of the investigation, Lahav 433 established a front construction company to gather evidence. According to police, the suspects approached the undercover operation and demanded regular payments in exchange for supposed security services that were never provided.
Police said the monthly fees ranged between NIS 8,000 and NIS 10,000 per site. Contractors who refused to pay reportedly experienced theft of heavy machinery and damage to equipment, reinforcing the scheme's coercive nature.
Arrests and Seizures Across Multiple Locations
With the investigation entering its overt phase on Monday, police raided 10 locations nationwide, arresting suspects and detaining additional individuals for questioning. Among those detained were owners and employees of several security companies suspected of providing financial cover for the extortion scheme.
During the operation, authorities seized luxury vehicles and substances suspected to be drugs. The suspects are expected to be brought before the Beersheba Magistrate's Court for remand hearings.
Police said the case involves four security companies that allegedly issued invoices to legitimize the illicit payments, effectively enabling the operation. Investigators described the companies as “full partners” in the criminal activity.
The alleged offenses were concentrated in major construction zones in Rishon LeZion, including the “Complex 1000” area and the area near the Superland amusement park, as well as in infrastructure projects linked to Shafdan. Authorities added that some suspects are connected to a criminal network previously implicated in protection-related crimes in Eilat.