A Palestinian couple was arrested in Jericho on Monday after Israeli Border Police uncovered a massive trove of stolen antiquities and protected wildlife. The discovery followed a weeks-long undercover investigation and culminated in a joint raid led by Border Police, the IDF, and the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Inside the suspects’ home, authorities found thousands of ancient silver coins—some dating back to the Hasmonean dynasty and the Bar Kokhba revolt—alongside approximately 400 protected birds and NIS 120,000 in cash. The estimated value of the archaeological artifacts is in the millions.
From Intelligence to Action
The investigation was conducted by the Jordan Valley Border Police Unit in cooperation with the Antiquities Authority, the Nature and Parks Authority, the Civil Administration’s archaeology division, Border Police forces, and IDF soldiers from the Jordan Valley and Emek HaMaayanot Brigade. Once sufficient intelligence was gathered, the team raided the property, where they discovered a hidden stash containing the rare items.
Commander Alon Hanan, an intelligence officer in the Jordan Valley unit, explained:
“This covert operation targeted several Palestinians from Jericho suspected of smuggling archaeological artifacts from Jordan.”
A Priceless Heritage Returned
Hanan noted that many of the seized coins date back to critical periods in Jewish history—including the Hasmonean era and the time of the Bar Kokhba revolt—and are of tremendous historical, cultural, and financial significance.
The suspects, a Palestinian husband and wife in their 30s and 40s, were transferred to the Judea and Samaria Central Unit for further questioning, in cooperation with the Antiquities Authority and the Nature and Parks Authority.
A spokesperson for the Border Police added:
“The Jordan Valley Border Unit continues to take firm action against the smuggling of weapons, cultural heritage, and wildlife—disrupting criminal and terrorist networks before they reach their targets.”
