The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces - Public Relations Division issued a statement today, Saturday, stating: "As part of the follow-up carried out by the Internal Security Forces to curb illegal migration operations via the sea, information was received by the Information Branch regarding the preparation for the smuggling of Syrian individuals to Europe, departing from the Al-Arida beach. As a result of the intelligence follow-up conducted by the branch, the validity of the information was confirmed, and its specialized units managed to identify the members of the smuggling network, including the person tasked with transporting the Syrian migrants to the shore, known as W. A. (born in 1996, Lebanese). Orders were given to intensify surveillance operations with the aim of apprehending him and thwarting the smuggling operation.
On September 17, 2023, after precise monitoring, one of the branch patrols spotted him driving a Toyota "pick-up" vehicle, carrying a large number of Syrian individuals. He was monitored until arriving at the Al-Abda area, where a well-planned ambush was executed, resulting in his arrest along with 42 Syrian nationals, including 6 children.
Upon searching the "pick-up," 83 life jackets, 13 gallons of diesel fuel (20 liters each), 200 small boxes of food supplies, and 8 gallons of water (20 liters each) were seized. Simultaneously, the boat "Sultana Maha" prepared for smuggling individuals was intercepted at the beach of Miniyeh.
During the investigation with W. A., he admitted to his involvement in the smuggling operation via Cyprus, using a boat that would meet them at the Al-Arida beach, in collaboration with others (efforts are ongoing to apprehend them). During the interrogation of the Syrians, they confessed that they were about to migrate to Europe via Cyprus, for an amount ranging between $5,000 and $7,000 per person. The maritime vessel and the "pick-up" were seized legally, and W. A. was handed over along with the seized items to the relevant authority. The Syrian individuals were delivered to the concerned regional unit to take the necessary legal action against them, in accordance with the judicial directive."
