Israel seizes load of handguns and rifles en route to West Bank
Suspicious cargo of cloths held up at Eilat border for three weeks, until sawed open by customs agents.
By Tal Levy Tags: smuggling tunnel Israel newsA load of 24 handguns and six M-16 rifles hidden in metal barrels was intercepted by customs agents in Eilat recently, en route to a Palestinian importer in the West Bank.
A commercial cargo of cloths - including what appeared to be six solid metal moulds - arrived at the Arava Rabin border crossing about three weeks ago.
The cloths were released from customs, but customs agents kept the moulds further investigation and to verify their intended destination.
On Wednesday, the importer declared that the moulds were used to produce shoe soles and requested they be returned to Jordan so as not be held up at the Israeli border.
Customs and baggage inspectors decided to run a security check on the moulds. After drilling a hole, they saw the moulds were hollow.
After sawing further into the moulds, agents found a handgun wrapped in a towel. Security units, police, and Eilat fire-fighter units were called, in an attempt to dismantle the moulds.
Eventually the moulds were found to contain 20 FN handguns, 6 M-16 rifles, two Glock-19 handguns, one CZ handgun, and one Beretta handgun. 23 clips and two electric shockers were also found.
Security forces will continue to investigate the matter.
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