Jerusalem, 23 November, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Police said that they arrested the main suspect in an extortion ring that forces small businesses to pay it “protection” money. Specifically, he was caught attempting to collect protection money from a bakery owner in the city of Safed. Weapons were found in a raid on his home.
The suspect is a 24-year-old resident of Ramla, who allegedly belongs to a criminal organization from the city. Ramla, located to the south of Tel Aviv, is a mixed Jewish and Arab city long reputed to be a center for organized crime.
A search of the suspect’s home uncovered an M-16 weapon hidden inside a drywall, as well as other findings, including operational radios, cartridges, and additional evidence.
The arrest came after, in recent weeks, the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) Region Crime Fighting Unit conducted an investigation following a report of what the police said were “several serious offenses” of blackmail with threats against a business owner in Safed. The suspect presented himself as a representative of a criminal organization and demanded that money be paid to him.
During the arrest operation, two additional suspects, residents of Ramla, were arrested after they were located together with the main suspect in the compound where the findings were seized.