A multi-disciplinary team led by Interpol South Africa pounced on the “most wanted” gang leader from Israel.
The well-executed operation in Bryanston, Johannesburg on Thursday morning also included members of organised crime, detectives, crime intelligence and the special task force.
The 46-year-old gang leader is linked to a criminal organisation back in his native country called Abergil Organisation.
Seven other men, who were in the company of the Israeli gang leader, were also arrested when they were found with 12 firearms including five assault rifles, seven pistols, $40 000 (R692 469) and three suspected stolen motorcycles.
Police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe said the gang leader has been on Interpol’s Red Notice since 2015.
“During an early-morning takedown operation, the team pounced on an identified address in Bryanston. All the roleplayers are at the scene where the investigation and search warrant is being executed,” said Mathe.
“He is a wanted suspect in Israel for conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder.”
Israeli authorities said the suspect is a part of a notorious gang dealing in drug trafficking, extortion, murder and other criminal activities.
“In 2003 and 2004, this wanted suspect allegedly placed an explosive bomb underneath a vehicle of a man in Israel in two separate incidents. As a result of the first explosion, five people sustained serious injuries but all miraculously survived,” according to Israeli authorities.
“In the second incident, the suspect also attempted to do the same with the same victim, where he placed a bomb on top of a vehicle. In this incident, three people also sustained serious injuries.”
[JUST IN] A multi-disciplinary team led by @INTERPOL_HQ 🇿🇦 @SAPoliceService Organised Crime, Detectives, CI and the Special Task Force have arrested an Israeli most wanted gang leader, along with seven others at a house in the leafy neighbourhood of Bryanston in Johannesburg. pic.twitter.com/WHYWfrZx4Z
— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) November 17, 2022
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