Nazareth, Israel - March 05, 2025 Suspicion - Dentists loaned money and blackmailed with threats, nine suspects arrested At the North Economic Enforcement Unit (EEU) at Lahav 433, an undercover investigation was conducted together with Income Tax investigators, the Authority for the Prohibition of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, and with the assistance of the Northern District Attorney's Office, on suspicion of extortion through threats, money laundering, the Fair Credit Law and tax offenses. As part of the investigation, suspicions arose against two brothers from Nazareth, dentists by profession and owners of dental clinics in Nof HaGalil and Nazareth, that they are involved in cashing checks, providing loans on the gray market and collecting debts. In order to collect the debts, the brothers use enforcers who carry out acts of violence on their behalf. It was also suspected that the suspects were taking over land and businesses in Nazareth by instilling fear and intimidation, while taking advantage of the victims' distress. In the operation conducted today, in which many forces from Lahav 433, the Northern District, the IDF, the IDF National Guard, the Tax Authority, and administrative enforcement bodies took part, arrests and searches were carried out against nine suspects in the affair. During the operation, 60 real estate properties with an estimated value of approximately 45 million NIS, valuable vehicles, a large amount of cash, checks worth more than 400 thousand NIS, a gold bar with an estimated value of approximately 300 thousand NIS, and a crypto account were seized. A mortar bomb and a chain of bullets from a heavy machine gun were also seized. [Source: Israeli Police]