Matthew Wagner of the Jerusalem Post reports on more crime in the Orthodox world:
… Lulav importers and distributors are known for using less than equitable methods to obtain the highest prices possible. Wholesalers tell how lulav shipments are delayed by police after being "tipped" that they contain drugs. After the thorough search is completed, Succot is over and the lulavs are worthless. Other wholesalers tell of "mysterious" delays at Egyptian customs after key officials have been paid off. Threats of violence are used to coerce dealers to buy or not to buy according to the whims of the big importers.
"Selling lulavs is a shady business," [Meir] Mizrahi, [head of the Agriculture Ministry's Plant Protection and Inspection Services and Plant Quarantine Service,] said.
"It attracts all sorts of people. Some are truly honest. But others are criminal types."
Lulavs are used during Succot to perform the biblical commandment to "take... branches of palm trees" together with willow branches, a citron and myrtle branches and "rejoice before the Lord your God."…