Three young women were sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty to attempting to smuggle over NIS 2 million ($550,000) worth of cocaine and ketamine into Israel from Europe, in the so-called “Pink Suitcase Affair.”
Arbel Mizrahi, 24, Idan Tsauber, 24, Orel Ben Haim, 24, and Lee Poni, 22, were arrested on January 15, 2023, upon returning to Israel from Berlin. Customs officials at the airport discovered the contraband, which included 15 kilograms (33 pounds) of cocaine and ketamine hidden in Sony PlayStation consoles, shampoo bottles, and Dead Sea skincare products.
Initially, the suspects claimed they were unaware of the drugs. However, after agreeing to a plea deal, the three women—Mizrahi, Tsauber, and Poni—received sentences far lighter than what the prosecution had sought.
Judge Merav Greenberg, who presided over the case, took into account the defendants’ remorse and their commitment to rehabilitation when issuing the verdict. Mizrahi, who had been expelled from a rehabilitation program, was sentenced to an additional 22 months, while Tsauber and Poni were sentenced to nine months in prison, along with community service and a fine of NIS 33,000 ($9,000).
The women had been paid NIS 30,000 ($8,300) for smuggling the drugs and received NIS 3,000 for travel expenses. According to the Central District Attorney’s Office, the women were involved in a larger trafficking ring and spent over NIS 100,000 ($29,300) on drugs for personal use.
The fourth defendant, Ben Haim, refused to agree to a rehabilitation process and is currently serving 34 months in prison at Neve Tirza women’s facility in Ramle.
