The vehicle of a European Union diplomat crossing the Jordan-Palestine border was found Thursday to contain $2.5 million worth of hidden contraband.
Over 700 smartphones of differing brands, dozens of kilograms of gold bars and gold jewelry, and glass capsules full of steroids were discovered in the car, according to Israeli media, who cited Israeli tax and customs officials in their reports. The vehicle itself reportedly belongs to the EU.
EU Official Caught Crossing Israel-Jordan border with Smuggled Gold, Smartphones, Steroids https://t.co/1jg3x95knt pic.twitter.com/mEKhTwe2F6
— Behind The News (@Behind__News) February 4, 2016
The EU representative found with the smuggled goods is a consultant to the EU’s mission to the Middle East, according to Israeli Channel 2 TV. He was briefly detained and later released, while his Arab chauffeur, who is from a village near Jerusalem, is still being detained.
The stash was discovered as the driver and the EU representative attempted to cross the King Hussein/ Allenby Bridge border crossing over the Jordan River, which divides Jordan and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The crossing, which is mostly used by Palestinians living in the West Bank, is notorious for its long queues. Travelers are not allowed to drive across, and therefore must transit by foot, subject to multiple security checks. Diplomats and others with privileged status, however, may cross the bridge while remaining inside their vehicles, and are given expedited service while doing so.
