IDF NCO (non-commissioned officer) Louie Balut, 34, of Fassuta, told a Haifa court on Monday that he is innocent, denying allegations leveled against him that he was involved in a drug ring bringing the illegal substance into northern Israel.

In a major development, security officials have confirmed statements by Balut that he was working for military intelligence, the IDF�s very own intelligence unit known as 504.

Nevertheless, his handlers told reporters that Louie was not authorized, ever, to engage in the activities such as drug smuggling.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)