Two detained after dolls encased with bullets, drugs found at Ben-Gurion Airport
Sep 15, 2014, 1:03 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Two detained after dolls encased with bullets, drugs found at Ben-Gurion Airport
Two detained after dolls encased with bullets, drugs found at Ben-Gurion Airport - JPost
I actually believe the guy. Classic Israel has people asking favors from others and people agreeing. Even though those from abroad look at the security risk, Israelis really treat each other as family - both for better and for worse.
But this is crazy nonetheless, and proof that you really shouldn't ever take gifts from people you don't know.
Officers seize bullets and narcotics hidden in toys found in carry-on luggage and suitcase belonging to Israeli man, Uzbek woman flying to Uzbekistan
An Israeli man and Uzbek woman were detained at Ben-Gurion Airport Monday on attempted smuggling charges after security officials found bullets and drugs encased in toys found in their carry-on bag and luggage, respectively, prior to boarding a flight to Uzbekistan.
<snip>
Upon discovering the doll’s contents, the man attempted to flee the scene, but was apprehended by guards within minutes, police said. During questioning he said he was unaware of the doll’s contents, and claimed that he was carrying it as a favor to a female passenger he had never met before who told him she reached the weight limit for her luggage.
An Israeli man and Uzbek woman were detained at Ben-Gurion Airport Monday on attempted smuggling charges after security officials found bullets and drugs encased in toys found in their carry-on bag and luggage, respectively, prior to boarding a flight to Uzbekistan.
<snip>
Upon discovering the doll’s contents, the man attempted to flee the scene, but was apprehended by guards within minutes, police said. During questioning he said he was unaware of the doll’s contents, and claimed that he was carrying it as a favor to a female passenger he had never met before who told him she reached the weight limit for her luggage.
But this is crazy nonetheless, and proof that you really shouldn't ever take gifts from people you don't know.
Sep 16, 2014, 2:08 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NYC Area
Programs: UA Premier Platinum, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 1,312
So, what you are saying is that the "protectzia" culture leads some to engage in criminality (whether it be street criminality or white collar criminality)?
Sep 16, 2014, 11:51 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
No - this has nothing to do with protectzia or criminality.
Israel is very "familial" - strangers have no problem asking strangers to do favors. Would an American ever ask a stranger to "watch my baby for a second?" Obviously not, but that kind of thing happens in Israel. So people ask for favors (not political protectzia favors; favors like can I borrow something) and people very much oblige like they would for a brother or sister.
So I really believe that random Israeli woman approaches and asks if he can take something, and he thinks, "Of course, no problem. I'll do a small favor for this person." Turns out it was more sinister though (on her part)
Israel is very "familial" - strangers have no problem asking strangers to do favors. Would an American ever ask a stranger to "watch my baby for a second?" Obviously not, but that kind of thing happens in Israel. So people ask for favors (not political protectzia favors; favors like can I borrow something) and people very much oblige like they would for a brother or sister.
So I really believe that random Israeli woman approaches and asks if he can take something, and he thinks, "Of course, no problem. I'll do a small favor for this person." Turns out it was more sinister though (on her part)
Sep 19, 2014, 7:17 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Israel/United States
Posts: 1,234
I do not believe the guy for a moment. Classic security question/warning is
"Did anyone give you or ask you to take anything" Since the dolls were discovered at the xray screening--it means he consciously lied! They also follow this up with, "you know why we are asking" --now I flew out of TLV a few hours after this happened and when she asked me if I know why they are asking I was able to reply, Yup--read the news about the doll/toys!
although it was not and is not a laughing matter!
"Did anyone give you or ask you to take anything" Since the dolls were discovered at the xray screening--it means he consciously lied! They also follow this up with, "you know why we are asking" --now I flew out of TLV a few hours after this happened and when she asked me if I know why they are asking I was able to reply, Yup--read the news about the doll/toys!
although it was not and is not a laughing matter!
Sep 19, 2014, 11:20 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 294
I don't think lying in response to that question really should make you believe that he knew/didn't know what he was getting in to. If he was gullible enough to take the item without realizing, I still don't think he'd tell security what he just did.
I also don't really understand how a smuggling plan by the Uzbek woman could possibly include a "I'm gonna try to give this to some guy to carry-on and hope that I find (a) someone who says yes, (b) someone who says yes and says no to all the security questions, (c) no one who says no and tells security about my suspicious behavior, (d) if the guy takes it and gets caught he won't turn me in" strategy. That seems like an absurd parlay at Ben Gurion Airport.
I also don't really understand how a smuggling plan by the Uzbek woman could possibly include a "I'm gonna try to give this to some guy to carry-on and hope that I find (a) someone who says yes, (b) someone who says yes and says no to all the security questions, (c) no one who says no and tells security about my suspicious behavior, (d) if the guy takes it and gets caught he won't turn me in" strategy. That seems like an absurd parlay at Ben Gurion Airport.
Sep 20, 2014, 11:30 am
#8
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Zichron Yakov, Israel
Programs: SPG Gold
Posts: 808
I remember once at the checkin line at JFK to go Israel back in 2009 some israeli religious couple had 5 suitcases and wanted us to checkin together so they wouldnt have to pay for their 5th suitcase (back in the day when you still got 2 free per person). They were trying to convince us just to checkin together but the bags would be in their names, but i wasnt having any of it.
Incidentally, my cousin tells me that once flying back from Luton the head of El Al Security there asked him to take a bag for him as a test of some new security questioners, and he was supposed to answer all the questions badly (i.e., I used Ahmed's luggage packing service, left it in the hotel lobby for a few hours after I checked out from the hotel, etc.). The thing was, my cousin wasnt sure whether this guy was really with El Al Security or not. Because how can you know?
Incidentally, my cousin tells me that once flying back from Luton the head of El Al Security there asked him to take a bag for him as a test of some new security questioners, and he was supposed to answer all the questions badly (i.e., I used Ahmed's luggage packing service, left it in the hotel lobby for a few hours after I checked out from the hotel, etc.). The thing was, my cousin wasnt sure whether this guy was really with El Al Security or not. Because how can you know?
Sep 20, 2014, 1:22 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
I do not believe the guy for a moment. Classic security question/warning is
"Did anyone give you or ask you to take anything" Since the dolls were discovered at the xray screening--it means he consciously lied! They also follow this up with, "you know why we are asking" --now I flew out of TLV a few hours after this happened and when she asked me if I know why they are asking I was able to reply, Yup--read the news about the doll/toys!
although it was not and is not a laughing matter!
"Did anyone give you or ask you to take anything" Since the dolls were discovered at the xray screening--it means he consciously lied! They also follow this up with, "you know why we are asking" --now I flew out of TLV a few hours after this happened and when she asked me if I know why they are asking I was able to reply, Yup--read the news about the doll/toys!
although it was not and is not a laughing matter!
I also don't really understand how a smuggling plan by the Uzbek woman could possibly include a "I'm gonna try to give this to some guy to carry-on and hope that I find (a) someone who says yes, (b) someone who says yes and says no to all the security questions, (c) no one who says no and tells security about my suspicious behavior, (d) if the guy takes it and gets caught he won't turn me in" strategy. That seems like an absurd parlay at Ben Gurion Airport.
Incidentally, my cousin tells me that once flying back from Luton the head of El Al Security there asked him to take a bag for him as a test of some new security questioners, and he was supposed to answer all the questions badly (i.e., I used Ahmed's luggage packing service, left it in the hotel lobby for a few hours after I checked out from the hotel, etc.). The thing was, my cousin wasnt sure whether this guy was really with El Al Security or not. Because how can you know?
Sep 20, 2014, 7:46 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Israel/United States
Posts: 1,234
When I take stuff for others--I tell them, and usually immediately indicate it is someone I have known for X number of years! --they ask a few more questions and do not do a visual. ( I guess I fit the profile of an honest person)
Sep 20, 2014, 11:50 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
Sep 21, 2014, 2:44 am
#12
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,018
Sep 28, 2014, 10:20 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: AA Gold AAdvantage Elite, Rapids Reward
Posts: 38,324
Wow! What happened? Did they arrested? I think Israeli security does have x-ray machine at the ticket counter or inline baggage system. How did bring drugs at airports? No one who notice it.
Oct 4, 2014, 11:06 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 12
Not saying that they don't notice, but am sure that they don't want to get too bogged down with drugs.
I am just pontificating, I am in not in that industry.