The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division issued the following statement: "As part of its ongoing efforts to pursue drug smuggling networks and arrest their members, specialized units in the Information Branch of the Internal Security Forces are continuously intensifying their efforts to uncover smuggling operations to and from Lebanese territories, identify those involved, and arrest them.
As a result of intensive investigations and inquiries, the branch obtained confirmed information regarding an international drug trafficking network preparing to smuggle a large quantity of narcotics packaged inside fiber panels to 'Abidjan' through the Port of Beirut. Consequently, the specialized units identified the location where the shipment was hidden in the town of Ghazieh - Sidon.
Orders were issued to raid the warehouse where the narcotics were concealed and arrest all suspects involved in the smuggling operation. On 30-10-2022, after precise surveillance and monitoring, the special forces of the branch conducted a raid on the mentioned warehouse and managed to seize the goods inside.
Simultaneously, the owner of the warehouse and the drivers of the vehicles that transported the shipment from the Bekaa to Beirut were summoned, along with the owner of the shipping company. Upon inspecting the shipment, a quantity of 5,415,000 Captagon pills was found concealed within the fiber panels.
During the investigation with the suspects, the identities of all members of the network involved in the operation were uncovered. The case file and seized items were handed over to the relevant authority, based on the directives of the competent judiciary, and efforts are still ongoing to arrest the remaining members of the network."
