Israeli gangs are currently utilizing small balloons and quadcopter drones to transport crystal meth, amphetamines, and hashish across the border into Jordan. Jordanian security forces report that since the start of 2026, they have intercepted 15,000 Captagon pills, 20,000kg of crystal meth, and 6,000 blocks of hashish.
A military source rejected the scale of these claims, stating, "These announcements by the Israeli side are exaggerated and inaccurate and only cover half the story. There are reciprocal smuggling operations of drugs into Jordan. Jordanian border guards have been actively foiling several attempts to smuggle drugs from Israel in recent months." King Abdullah II of Jordan recently addressed the broader diplomatic friction, asserting, "this [Israeli] government's sense of impunity has reached terrifying levels."
Economic Drivers of Smuggling
Market prices for illicit substances provide a primary incentive for the cross-border movement of goods. An Israeli estimate suggests a kilogram of hashish is worth £7,500 in Jordan. This valuation reflects the potential profits available to groups operating along the border between the two countries. The discrepancy in local market prices drives the participation of various actors in the transport of narcotics. These financial gains remain a central factor in the ongoing activity reported by security officials on both sides of the frontier. The high value of these products encourages consistent attempts to bypass surveillance measures despite the risk of interception by border guards.
Weapons Seizures and Military Shifts
Israeli military and law enforcement officials reported the confiscation of a drone carrying nine Kalashnikov rifles last month. The aircraft was intercepted while flying from Jordan into Israeli territory. This incident prompted a shift in military posture, leading the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to establish a new army division, the 96th Division. The formation of this unit aims to strengthen the military presence along the eastern border.
An IDF spokesman responded to criticism regarding the security situation, stating, "The claim that the IDF is not taking the issue of smuggling along the eastern border seriously does not reflect the scope of the ongoing efforts and measures being implemented to address it."
Financial incentives continue to influence the volume of illicit goods moving across the frontier. Israeli security forces believe the street value of hashish is 15 times higher in Jordan than in Israel. This price disparity creates a substantial economic motivation for smuggling syndicates to bypass security measures. The increased valuation in Jordan remains a primary factor cited by authorities attempting to manage the flow of contraband between the two countries. Security officials continue to monitor these fluctuations as they deploy the 96th Division to enhance surveillance and interdiction capabilities along the border.
