The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division issued the following statement: "As part of the ongoing monitoring efforts by the specialized units within the Internal Security Forces to reduce crimes in various Lebanese areas, and following recent armed robbery incidents, particularly motorcycle thefts across several regions of Mount Lebanon, the specialized units intensified their fieldwork and intelligence efforts to uncover the gangs carrying out these crimes and apprehend their members.
As a result of the follow-up and increased investigations, the Information Branch identified the identities of gang members responsible for armed motorcycle thefts in Mount Lebanon, including the suspect: M. A. F. (born in 2001, Lebanese), who has a criminal record for similar offenses. On February 13, 2024, after careful surveillance, one of the branch's patrols managed to arrest him in a well-executed ambush in the city of Shweifat.
During interrogation, he confessed to belonging to an armed robbery gang and admitted to participating with its members in more than 11 armed robbery incidents, noting that he has recently been involved in theft and pickpocketing activities. He also admitted to using drugs, specifically hashish and marijuana, which he procured from the Sabra and Shatila camps. Legal measures have been taken against him, and he has been transferred to the relevant authority based on the judicial direction, while work continues to arrest other gang members."