Lebanese Customs authorities have intercepted a major cocaine smuggling operation at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, seizing 46.7 kilogrammes of cocaine from a passenger who arrived from Accra, Ghana.
The seizure, described as the largest drug bust in the history of Beirut’s international airport, was carried out on Saturday through a joint operation involving the General Directorate of Customs and Lebanon’s General Security.
According to a statement issued by the Customs Directorate on Sunday, the suspect was a Syrian national identified by his initials, B.H., who travelled from Accra aboard Middle East Airlines flight MEA 576.
A search of the passenger’s luggage uncovered 40 packages containing cocaine. Investigators said the drugs had been carefully concealed using sophisticated packaging and insulation materials designed to evade airport scanning equipment. Electronic tracking devices were also discovered inside the packages.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had entered Lebanon through the Masnaa border crossing several weeks earlier before travelling to Accra and subsequently returning with the illegal consignment.
Customs officials suspect that he was working as a drug courier for an organised international smuggling network, with instructions to transport and deliver the cocaine to a designated recipient.
The suspect has since been arrested, while investigations are ongoing to identify the intended receiver of the drugs and other individuals connected to the alleged cocaine trafficking operation.
Lebanon Prime Minister Praises Major Cocaine Seizure
Following the operation, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam congratulated the General Security and Customs authorities for successfully preventing the cocaine shipment from entering the country.
In a statement released by the Grand Serail on X, Salam praised the cooperation, intelligence-sharing and coordination between the two security agencies, describing their collaboration as instrumental in the successful interception.
The Prime Minister further warned that Lebanon’s land, sea and air borders would not be allowed to become channels for drug trafficking, money laundering or other illegal activities.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening border security, improving cooperation among law enforcement agencies and intensifying efforts to dismantle organised crime and international drug smuggling networks.
The seizure highlights growing international efforts to combat cocaine trafficking and organised drug crime, particularly through international airports and cross-border transportation networks.
Source: newsthemegh.com