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 combat theft in various Lebanese regions, and following an increase in the theft of electrical wires and high voltage cables in the northern areas, the North Detachment within the regional gendarmerie was tasked with investigations to identify and arrest the members of these gangs. As a result of these investigations, it was found that two gangs were operating in the areas of Jebel Baddawi, the devastated, and Tabbaneh. On 17-11-2023, the detachment managed to arrest two members of the first gang in the Jebel Baddawi area, identified as:
- A. S. (born in 1998, Syrian)
- M. A. (born in 1993, Syrian)
Upon interrogating them, they confessed to being part of a gang alongside A. M. (born in 1987, Syrian) - who is currently at large and has a criminal record - involved in stealing electrical wires and high voltage cables from the public network for approximately two years, committing dozens of thefts across various areas: Koura, Amioun, Ehden, Bcharre, Dahr al-Ain, and Fouar, as well as some thefts in the areas of Mount Lebanon such as the Beirut - Sidon road and the Metn highway.
In a related development, on 18-11-2023, the aforementioned detachment arrested members of the second gang in a well-planned ambush in the Jebel Baddawi - Wadi Al-Nahla area, identifying them as:
- M. A. (born in 1994, Lebanese)
- J. A. (born in 2006, Lebanese)
Upon searching them, a hunting rifle and tools used in the thefts (pliers, cutters, etc.) were found in their possession. Interrogation revealed that they were part of a gang stealing electrical cables, particularly street lighting cables from the main highway in Tripoli.
As a result of the investigation, and in conjunction with the information gathered by the detachment regarding the disposal and sale of stolen copper, one of the patrols searched a scrap yard in the Sqi Tabbaneh area, where a quantity of stolen copper was seized consisting of high voltage cables and cut lighting cables. Legal action was taken against the four detainees, and the seized copper was handed over to the Qadisha Electricity Company upon the instructions of the competent judiciary."
