A smuggling attempt of a significant amount of gold, smartphone devices, and steroid packages from Jordan into Israel was thwarted at the Allenby Bridge in the Jordan Valley near Jericho.

The smuggled items were discovered in a European Union vehicle that was transporting a political consultant from the EU delegation to the Middle East. The vehicle was driven by a resident of Atarot, a Palestinian town north of Jerusalem. Customs investigators detained the vehicle for a search and found approximately 700 smartphones, tens of kilograms of jewelry made of pure gold, and a number of steroid packages. The total value of all the goods seized is estimated to be worth NIS 10 million.

The EU diplomat and the driver were taken to the customs offices in Jerusalem for further questioning. The diplomat was released, but the driver was brought to the Jerusalem Magistrates Court and has been detained until Sunday.