Jerusalem, 15 November, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli police and customs investigators seized approximately 40 advanced tactical drones during a raid on a home in Daburiyya, near Nazareth, authorities announced Sunday.
The operation followed several weeks of a covert investigation by Northern District police and Ben Gurion Airport customs investigators into a 30-year-old resident suspected of illegally importing and selling drones smuggled into Israel.
During a search of the suspect’s home, officers discovered drones with various tactical capabilities, including models equipped with dual-use technology that could be used to drop explosives from the air.
Investigators suspect some drones were also repaired, upgraded, or modified at a workshop operating inside the residence.
The suspect was arrested and questioned under caution on suspicion of customs offenses and regulatory violations involving communications and aviation equipment. He is suspected of importing, possessing, and selling the drones without the permits and licenses required by law.