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The IDF versus Drug Dealers
(JNS) Yaakov Lappin - Two IDF co-ed infantry battalions specialize in protecting Israel's border with Egypt from terrorism and drug smuggling - the Caracal (Wildcat) and Bardelas (Cheetah) battalions. Setting up a joint operations center with the Israel Police, the Israel Air Force and others has led to a dramatic rise in the number of foiled drug smuggling runs. While there were 200 drug runs thwarted and disrupted in 2021, in 2022 the number has surpassed 500. According to the IDF, while drug runners had a 50% success rate in 2021, that rate dropped to 20% in 2022. These battalions also continue with their core task of defending the Egyptian border against terrorist attacks, primarily from ISIS in Sinai. However, while jihadist forces remain active in Sinai, at this time they are targeting Egyptian security forces and members of Sinai Bedouin tribes who joined forces with the Egyptian state against them, and not Israel.