November 7, 2008: Israeli police arrested 18 Palestinians in villages north of Jerusalem, and accused them of selling weapons and drugs. The police had sent in undercover agents to check out rumors that drugs and weapons were for sale in these villages. Purchases were made and the sellers identified. The Israelis are concerned that these weapons and drug dealers are supplying terrorists. Most criminals avoid doing business with terrorists, because that sort of thing brings too much police attention. Drug dealing in villages near the six meter high security wall usually means that the drugs are getting into Israel. That's because there are holes in the wall for draining rain water, that are large enough for a hand, and drugs, to pass through. Eventually, the wall will have surveillance vidcams and other sensors. But for now, it keeps terrorists, but not drugs, and other small objects (like bomb components) out.

Earlier this year, Palestinian and Israeli police began more joint anti-drug operations. The drugs come into the West Bank via Jordan, and while some of it is sold to Palestinians, the Israeli market is larger, and pays better. The Palestinians also grow marijuana, which is also used to produce hashish. The imported drugs include a lot of opium and heroin from Afghanistan and synthetics like Ecstasy and meth from regional labs. Most of the drug gangs are just interested in making money, and maybe getting high. The arms trade is to enable the drug gangs to defend themselves from thieves, and rival dealers.