As part of the implementation of the ‘Capital Shield’ program, outlined by Jerusalem District Commander Superintendent Avshalom Feled, to strengthen governance and combat crime in all its forms, an extensive and integrated enforcement operation was conducted this morning in the Shuafat refugee camp.
Police officers from the Shuafat station and the Jerusalem District Forensic Science Division, in cooperation with Border Police fighters from the Jerusalem Envelope, and civilian enforcement officials including representatives of the Federation for Intellectual Property, the Veterinary Services Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture, the Poultry Council, Arnona measurements, execution contractors, and the National Unit for Enforcement of Collection at the Tax Authority (Jerusalem Execution Office), raided several shops and businesses. There, they found tens of thousands of items suspected of being counterfeit, including large quantities of cigarettes and tobacco products, and food products that pose a real danger to public health, which were stored in poor sanitary conditions and without the required veterinary supervision.
During the operation, 10 vehicles valued at over NIS 400,000 were impounded. 90,000 packs of counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes were seized – the estimated value of the goods is approximately NIS 890,000. Business owners were also summoned for further investigation and will face criminal proceedings for the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods.
Business owners who distributed counterfeit and smuggled goods are expected to face fines of NIS 100,000 each for possessing, selling, and distributing counterfeit cigarettes. 2 reports and a summons for a hearing, including the impoundment and towing of a bus, were issued. 3 arrest warrants + court summonses were executed. 4 scooters and a vehicle suspected of being stolen were located, towed, and examined by a sapper. Furthermore, during the forces’ operation conducted at night, 13 suspects who were wanted for investigation by the police and security agencies were arrested.
One of the main objectives of the ‘Capital Shield’ program is to collaborate with civilian enforcement agencies, in order to ensure that the law is enforced everywhere within the Jerusalem Envelope and the adjacent villages. The sale of food without supervision and counterfeit goods is not only an economic offense, but a direct blow to the security and health of the residents. The ‘Capital Shield’ operation program will continue in various areas, in order to increase and strengthen sovereignty and governance.