6/1/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement:
Recently, news circulated in some media outlets and on social media regarding the death of an inmate at Roumieh Central Prison, approximately one week after the death of another inmate at the same prison. It was alleged that the cause of death was due to the spread of tuberculosis within the prison. The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces wishes to clarify the following: 1- On December 27, 2025, the on-duty doctor at Roumieh Central Prison – Juvenile Detention Center – examined inmate H.B. Born in 1986, of Palestinian nationality, he was diagnosed with general deterioration and had vomited several times, necessitating his immediate transfer to a hospital for treatment. 2- On the same date, while at Al-Hayat Hospital awaiting the results of an X-ray and after his condition had improved, he suffered a sudden and severe heart attack and subsequently passed away. 3- After the forensic doctor examined the body, it was determined that the cause of death was sudden cardiac arrest. Traces of injections were found in his upper thighs (femoral artery). Laboratory tests were negative for the use of any narcotics or prohibited substances. He was suffering from mild inflammation and a slight decrease in his white blood cell count. 4- Investigations revealed that the deceased inmate had been drawing a quantity of his own blood and mixing it with some powdered medication—the type of which has not yet been determined due to pending test results—before injecting it into himself via the femoral artery. This led to complications affecting his heart and lungs. This information was provided by two inmates who had also been using this method of injection. Following the death of the aforementioned inmate, they approached the prison administration seeking assistance, fearing for their own health. On December 29, 30, and 31, 2025, in coordination with the security forces, specialized teams from the Ministry of Public Health reviewed the files of inmates transferred from the juvenile detention center to hospitals, including (H.B.). X-rays were also performed on every inmate exhibiting a cough or any other health symptom, and all results were negative. It was also found that the tuberculosis (TB) and cholera tests were negative for everyone. Therefore, there is no outbreak of TB, cholera, or any other epidemic in Roumieh Prison.
The investigation is ongoing under the supervision of the competent judicial authorities.
The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the ongoing efforts undertaken by the Internal Security Forces to combat drug trafficking across various Lebanese regions, the Beirut Investigation Unit of the Beirut Police obtained information on 16/04/2026 regarding two individuals engaged in drug distribution in the Ramlet El Bayda area. Following surveillance and monitoring operations, a well-coordinated ambush was carried out in the aforementioned area, resulting in the arrest of: A.H. (born in 1995, Lebanese)S.A. (born in 2003, Lebanese) A search of the suspects led to the seizure of a black bag containing a large quantity of substances prepared for distribution, including: 511 sachets of “Salvia” 60 vials containing a white narcotic substance In the same context, and based on precise intelligence obtained by the same unit regarding the activities of an individual involved in drug distribution in the Sami Solh area: On 07/04/2026, following careful surveillance and monitoring, a patrol from the unit arrested the suspect in the aforementioned area while riding a motorcycle without a registration plate. He was identified as: M.K. (born in 2004, Syrian) A search of the suspect and the motorcycle resulted in the seizure of narcotics divided and prepared for distribution, including: 80 Captagon pills (divided into four bags and ready for distribution) Two nylon bags containing cannabis (hashish) The detainees and the seized items were handed over to the competent authorities for the necessary legal proceedings, in accordance with the instructions of the competent judicial authority.
30/4/2026
The following statement was issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division: As part of the ongoing efforts undertaken by the Internal Security Forces to pursue and arrest individuals involved in drug-related crimes, and as a result of cooperation and coordination between the Central Anti-Narcotics Office within the Judicial Police Unit and the Anti-Narcotics Administration in the Syrian Arab Republic, information was received by the aforementioned office indicating that the Syrian administration had identified one of the individuals wanted by the Lebanese judiciary for drug trafficking crimes—particularly involving Captagon and cannabis (hashish)—while he was carrying out administrative procedures. He is identified as: F. F. (born in 1976, Lebanese), against whom a summary judgment, an arrest warrant, and a warrant of apprehension have been issued, all in connection with drug trafficking offenses. Accordingly, and in line with established procedures, the Syrian authorities were requested to take action to arrest him. On 19-03-2026, he was handed over by the Syrian side at the Masnaa border crossing following coordination between the office and the administration. The necessary legal measures were taken against him based on the instructions of the competent judicial authority. On a prior date, and as a result of ongoing cooperation between the Central Anti-Narcotics Office and the Anti-Narcotics Administration in Kuwait, through the Criminal Security Office at the Embassy of Kuwait and the Anti-Narcotics Administration in Syria, an international drug trafficking network was dismantled. The ringleader and his associate were arrested, and 85 kg of Captagon pills—equivalent to approximately 476,000 tablets—were seized. They had been professionally concealed among sacks of onions and were intended to be smuggled into the State of Kuwait.
29/4/2026
The following statement was issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division: As part of the ongoing efforts carried out by the Internal Security Forces to combat all types of crimes across various Lebanese regions, information was received by the Zahle Judicial Detachment within the Judicial Police Unit regarding a group engaged in defrauding several individuals by selling them counterfeit gold bracelets. The suspects would present these bracelets to their victims and falsely claim they were genuine. When taken to jewelry shops for verification, the suspects would, through sleight of hand and in a professional manner, swap them for genuine bracelets, then provide the victims with the counterfeit ones in exchange for money. Following investigations and inquiries conducted by the Zahle Judicial Detachment within the Judicial Police Unit, their identities were established and they were arrested. They were identified as: T. H. (born in 1995, Syrian), using the alias “Abdullah”N. A. (born in 2002, Syrian), using the alias “Fatim”B. H. (born in 2008, Syrian), using the alias “Ahmad” Accordingly, and based on the instructions of the competent judicial authority, the General Directorate is circulating their photos and requests that anyone who recognizes them or has fallen victim to their actions contact the Zahle Judicial Detachment at either of the following numbers: 08-807064 or 08-806523 to take the necessary legal measures.
29/4/2026
The General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: A contracting company has begun excavation works to extend water pipelines in the area of the Borj Abi Haidar descent, heading towards Cola, on Abdel Basset Ghandour Street, starting from 18:00 on 29-04-2026 until 18:00 on 01-05-2026. These works will not lead to road closures, and vehicles will be removed if necessary. Citizens are kindly requested to take note and comply with the instructions of the Internal Security Forces personnel and traffic signage, in order to facilitate traffic flow and prevent congestion.
29/4/2026
