A statement was issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division, stating the following: "As a result of extensive investigations and inquiries conducted by the International Theft Crimes Bureau in the Judicial Police Unit, aimed at tracking car theft gangs across all Lebanese territories, and through ongoing field studies carried out by the said bureau, it was found that car thefts are occurring in the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Governorates, with vehicles being transported to the north, in preparation for smuggling them into Syria via secondary roads.
On 08-12-2023, a patrol from the aforementioned bureau ambushed in Jbeil, where a stolen Hyundai vehicle from the Mosaitbeh area of Beirut was spotted. As the driver failed to comply with the patrol's orders, an exchange of gunfire ensued with the driver, who was hit by two gunshots. The officers managed to arrest him and immediately transported him to Al-Maounat Hospital in Jbeil - his health condition is stable - and found in his possession a military pistol, a quantity of drugs, and identity cards belonging to individuals whose cars had been stolen earlier.
It turned out that the arrested individual is named A. Z. D. (born in 1987, Lebanese), and he is wanted by the judiciary under a search and inquiry report and an arrest warrant for theft. During the investigation, he confessed to stealing several cars, transporting them to the Bekaa or the north, where they are sold or smuggled to Syria, or negotiating with their owners for their return.
The legal procedures were undertaken against the arrested suspect, and search and inquiry reports were issued for other involved individuals, with efforts underway to apprehend them. The vehicle has been returned to its owners, in accordance with the instructions of the competent judiciary."
