US indicts six Israelis for drug trafficking

man suspected of being one of Israel's most powerful crime bosses is charged with using a Los Angeles gang to distribute 1 million Ecstasy pills and paying one of the gang's members to kill a man for stealing a large drug shipment.

Itzhak Abergil, who prosecutors believe is one of the largest importers of narcotics into the United States, is among seven men listed in a 32-count federal indictment that alleges murder and international drug trafficking.

Abergil and his brother Mier Abergil were arrested Sunday in Israel after the indictment was unsealed. They face extradition to Los Angeles, where Itzhak Abergil would be charged with murder and his brother with racketeering and conspiracy.

The others listed on the indictment include four Israelis and a Los Angeles man suspected of being part of the gang that associated with the Abergils.

"This is a significant racketeering case involving alleged criminal activity spanning the globe," said Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the US attorney's office in California.

The indictment alleges the Abergil family is a small but powerful group with a "propensity for violence in Israel and around the world." The family allegedly worked with another syndicate, the Jerusalem Network, and used members of the San Fernando Valley gang the Vineland Boyz to traffic Ecstasy.

The indictment stated that the Abergil and Jerusalem organizations had previously been involved in the largest bank embezzlement scheme in Israel's history and engaged in illegal activities in the US to launder the proceeds of the scheme.

Itzhak Abergil called the allegations "police provocation" at a custody hearing Tuesday. "I have never been to the United States," Itzik Abergil said in a Jerusalem Post story.

Other suspects arrested in Israel include Moshe Malul, Israel Ozifa and Sasson Barashy. Yoram El-Al was named in the indictment but was still at large.

Authorities were also looking for Luis Sandoval, who is accused of being a senior Vineland Boyz member who planned the killing of Sami Atias in August 2003.

Atias and two associates allegedly stole about 350,000 Ecstasy tablets before Atias was shot in the head as he drove away from an Encino cafe. The indictment does not identify who pulled the trigger.

If convicted, Itzhak Abergil, Malul and Sandoval, who are charged with murder, face life in prison. The others could face more than 50 years each in prison.

Prosecutors said Itzhak Abergil is one of the 40 biggest importers of narcotics into the US and has been under investigation for more than five years.