An indictment filed at the Beersheba District Court reveals a case of unusual severity, in which 25-year-old Muhand Abu Yahya from Rahat is charged with possession of dangerous drugs for non-personal use. Abu Yahya, who was employed as a contractor for infrastructure projects in military outposts within the 'yellow' zone of the Gaza Strip, was arrested by security forces at the end of last July. According to the indictment filed by the Southern District Attorney's Office, the defendant left his assigned post without authorization or the required security escort and drove toward the Philadelphi Corridor in the southern Gaza Strip.
During his journey, he was caught loading jerrycans left on the roadside, which were found to contain approximately 40 kilograms of hashish and 11 kilograms of Captagon pills. His actions aroused the suspicion of IDF forces operating in the area. According to reports, upon spotting the troops, the defendant threw one of the jerrycans to the side of the road before being apprehended by a military unit. The indictment notes that in addition to the drugs, 98 new mobile phones were found in his possession, though this was not included in the primary charges.
Under questioning, the defendant claimed he believed the jerrycans contained diesel and that he had stopped his vehicle to drink water, further alleging that he was startled by warning shots fired by military forces. Conversely, the prosecution, represented by Adv. Wasim Abu Amer, has filed a motion to detain the defendant until the conclusion of proceedings. In its arguments, the prosecution emphasized that the acts attributed to the defendant demonstrate significant audacity and an abuse of his access to a combat zone.
It was further noted that the indictment focused on the charge of drug possession, as authorities were unable to gather sufficient evidence to prove drug trafficking charges within the Gaza Strip. It should be clarified that the information presented is based solely on the indictment and the claims of the parties, and the matter has yet to be adjudicated in a legal proceeding.