The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces announced today, Friday, the arrest of a dangerous network for the wholesale trade and promotion of drugs within Mount Lebanon, which targeted a large segment of Lebanese youth, particularly school and university students. During this operation, nine individuals were arrested, and 46 kilograms of drugs were seized, including 34 kilograms of cocaine packaged in over 13,000 envelopes.
The directorate stated that information was obtained by the Information Branch of the Internal Security Forces regarding an armed network distributing drugs within Mount Lebanon. Following this, the relevant units were tasked with conducting close surveillance of the network's hideouts in the Dahyeh area. It was confirmed that this network was distributing drugs wholesale on a large scale and posed a serious threat to social security.
As a result of the investigation and field efforts carried out by the branch, the identities of all network members were fully identified, including: (A. Z.) born in 1984, Lebanese; (H. A.) born in 1992, Lebanese and wanted for drug offenses; (A. M.) born in 1985, Lebanese; (M. M. H.) born in 1988, Lebanese and wanted under a judgment for threatening and impersonating a security identity; (M. M. H.) born in 1999, Lebanese; (A. D.) born in 1999, Syrian; (A. A.) born in 1990, Syrian; (A. H.) born in 1998, Syrian; (M. M.) born in 1995, Syrian.
In light of the above, the branch devised a plan to raid the network's hideouts, aware that its members were armed and conducted counter-surveillance in anticipation of raid operations. Special forces in the branch were given orders to implement the plan and work on arresting all those involved.
Between June 3 and June 5, 2023, after several days of continuous observation and monitoring, the Special Forces carried out the largest raid and ambush operations in the areas of Shouifat Desert, Aramoun, Kfarshima, and Dahar al-Baida, resulting in the arrest of all nine individuals mentioned. During searches of the suspects, as well as the vehicles and motorcycles used by them for transport and distribution, and their residences used as drug storage facilities, large quantities of various types of drugs were found, packaged in over 13,000 envelopes, totaling 46 kilograms. Large amounts of money in Lebanese pounds and US dollars, jewelry, 15 mobile phones, military weapons with ammunition, a hand grenade, three motorcycles, and four cars were also seized.
The directorate explained that upon interrogation, the detainees confessed to forming an armed network for the wholesale trade and promotion of drugs within Mount Lebanon targeting youth. The first individual admitted to transporting drugs from Baalbek to the Shouifat Desert and Aramoun. The second and third individuals acknowledged their responsibility for storing drugs inside apartments prepared for this purpose. The others confessed that they received the drugs and distributed them across different Lebanese regions while conducting surveillance in the places of drug storage and distribution.
