First Bedouin undercover operative, 'Nomad,' proves instrumental in major crime bust

During his time undercover, the Nomad was party to dozens of arms deals and drug deals, purchasing four illegal M-16 rifles, dozens of handguns, and about 500 grams of cocaine.

ByMAYA ZANGER-NADIS

JULY 13, 2026 10:15

On Monday morning, dozens of suspects faced arrest on charges of trafficking illegal weapons and drugs. The outcome stemmed from an extended undercover effort that centered on the Nomad, the first Bedouin operative directed by Israel's Lahav 433 crime-fighting unit.

Throughout the covert period, the Nomad took part in numerous arms and drug transactions. He acquired four illegal M-16 rifles, dozens of handguns, and roughly 500 grams of cocaine. His work yielded intelligence and proof on deals that law enforcement had previously found hard to track.

Lahav 433 commander Deputy Commissioner Meni Binyamin noted that placing an undercover agent deep inside criminal networks allowed officials to collect key evidence, reveal a broad criminal setup, and deal a serious setback to those moving illegal firearms and drugs nationwide.

Israel Police conduct a raid during a widespread operation against drug and weapon trafficking, July 13, 2026. (Credit: Police Spokesperson's Unit)

Dozens arrested across Israel as Operation Nomad transitions into the overt phase

The hidden stage of Operation Nomad ended with hundreds of Israeli military and law enforcement personnel carrying out raids on dozens of sites across the country on Monday morning. Targets included Rahat, Tel Sheva, Bir Hadaj, Arad, Dimona, Eilat, and east Jerusalem. Dozens were taken into custody, among them 20 key figures in organized crime.

Israel Police Commissioner Daniel Levy stated that Operation Nomad shows once more that criminals have no safe haven from the reach of the Israel Police.

The undercover work, combined with skilled efforts by Lahav 433 investigators, operational teams, and partner agencies, exposed dozens of suspects and halted illegal firearms and drug deals that might have claimed lives, Levy added.

'Pursuing crime and not allowing it to rear its head'

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir described the operation as an example of proactive, aggressive, and determined policing.

Hundreds of officers and fighters simultaneously hitting dozens of targets and reaching arms and drug dealers reflects the exact approach now in place, he said.

The shift from defense to offense, pursuing crime without letting it resurface, earned praise for the Police Commissioner, the Lahav commander, Lahav 433 officers, Border Police fighters, and special units. Officials pledged to keep supplying the police with resources and support to combat crime forcefully.