Customs officials became suspicious of a shipment being imported to a PA (Palestinian Authority) autonomous area marked “electronics and toys”. Officials at the Port of Ashdod explain some of the toy weapons appeared remarkably similar to the real thing, citing the AK-47 assault rifles, with some even bearing serial numbers indicating they are from American origin. Customs agents also determined they appeared too heavy to be toys.

The weapons, including 441 automatic rifles were passed to police to make a determination. Weapons experts quickly determined that a minor exchange of some very basic parts would render the guns fit to fire live ammunition. In addition, night vision equipment was also confiscated along with unspecified communications equipment prohibited for import by the PA.

Officials explain the packaging of the toy weapons gave them an appearance of being benign, and the entire weapons shipment was covered by electronics to further mask the true nature of the contents of the container.

Senior customs official in Ashdod, Eli Pollack, explained the shipment “was a far cry from humanitarian or toys.”

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)