The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: "As part of the ongoing efforts by the Internal Security Forces to curb drug trafficking and consumption crimes within the city of Beirut and to pursue and apprehend those involved, information was received by the Beirut Investigation Unit about an individual promoting drugs in the New Road area on Hamad Street, in a white jeep. On January 26, 2024, after thorough surveillance, a patrol from the Unit was able to stop the mentioned vehicle, apprehending the individual identified as B. M. (born in 1990, Lebanese). Upon searching him, they found /5/ transparent boxes containing approximately /85/ grams of 'cocaine base', /3/ capsules with traces of cocaine, /6/ drug envelopes, and a chalk box containing /7/ cartridges used for mixing cocaine, along with /3/ mobile phones, two of which had usable SIM cards, while the third had none.
In a related incident, on January 27, 2024, while a patrol was present in the New Road - Al-Jalloul area, a young man approached a parked 'Range Rover' in the area, where /4/ young men were inside, and attempted to sell them drugs. The patrol immediately arrested them in the act, revealing their identities: H. H. (born in 1995, Syrian) (the dealer), R. H. (born in 1995, Lebanese), S. A. H. (born in 1996, Lebanese), and M. H. (born in 2000, Lebanese). H. H. had in his possession two transparent nylon bags containing approximately /110/ grams of hashish, and a 'pump action' shotgun with two empty magazines was found inside the vehicle. Legal measures have been taken against all detainees, and they, along with the seized items, have been referred to the New Road Police Station for further legal proceedings based on judicial instructions."
