Issued by the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division The following statement: As part of the ongoing efforts carried out by the Gambling Control Office of the Judicial Police Unit to combat the scourge of illegal online betting, it has been established that some individuals have been renting out their digital financial wallets held with a number of money transfer companies in exchange for money, for use through illegal betting and gambling websites and platforms operated from outside Lebanon. In this context, since July 2026 and to date, more than /331/ digital financial wallets have been frozen, /9/ violators have been arrested, and /44/ wanted notices have been issued. It has also been established that those operating illegal gambling and betting networks make use of digital financial wallets belonging to other individuals and ask bettors to transfer money to these wallets, with the aim of avoiding the detection of the primary accounts used to manage these activities. Therefore, the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces warns citizens against renting out their digital financial wallets or accounts, or allowing third parties to use them, particularly for money transfers related to illegal gambling and betting websites and platforms, as this may result in criminal liability and legal prosecution. Furthermore, the use of such accounts to facilitate or manage illegal gambling activities may, pursuant to the measures taken and upon the instructions of the competent judicial authorities, result in the freezing of the accounts and the seizure of the funds held therein, in addition to taking legal measures against those involved. Therefore, the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces calls on citizens not to provide the details of their digital financial wallets and accounts to any person or entity, and not to allow them to be used in exchange for any financial compensation, in order to prevent their exploitation in illegal activities and the resulting legal consequences.

22/9/2026

The Director General of the Internal Security Forces, Major General Raed Abdallah, headed a delegation of ISF officers on an official visit to the Kingdom of Sweden, at the official invitation of the Swedish Police leadership, as part of efforts to strengthen security cooperation and coordination and exchange expertise between the two sides. On 21-09-2026, Major General Abdallah held a series of meetings with the Swedish National Police Commissioner, Ms. Petra Lundh, and her team, in the presence of the members of the delegation, which included: Commander of the Judicial Police Unit, Brigadier General Ziad Kaed Bey; Head of the International Liaison Division, Brigadier General Rony Beitar Ghanem; Head of the Information Branch, Brigadier General Mahmoud Kabrassli; and Head of the Director General’s Office, Brigadier General Georges Khairallah. The meetings addressed ways to strengthen and develop security cooperation between the two institutions. The Swedish Police leadership also expressed its high appreciation for the level of cooperation with the Internal Security Forces and the results achieved, particularly the arrest of a number of dangerous Swedish nationals wanted internationally through INTERPOL. The Swedish side expressed its readiness to provide support to the Internal Security Forces in several areas, with needs and priorities to be identified during subsequent technical meetings between the two sides. For his part, Major General Abdallah provided a detailed overview of the general situation and the challenges facing the Internal Security Forces, as well as its essential needs. He noted that, despite the severe and unprecedented financial crisis and the limited resources available, the ISF continues to carry out its missions and duties to the fullest extent, in order to protect citizens and maintain security and stability. At the conclusion of the meetings, Major General Abdallah and the Swedish National Police Commissioner exchanged commemorative plaques and agreed to continue strengthening coordination and cooperation between the two sides.

22/9/2026

The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the ongoing efforts undertaken by the Internal Security Forces to pursue and arrest perpetrators of various crimes throughout Lebanese territory, On 19-09-2026, a patrol from the Tannourine Police Station of the Regional Gendarmerie Unit became suspicious of a white Nissan Pathfinder SUV in the town of Kfarhelda – Batroun. The vehicle had dark, vision-obstructing windows and no rear registration plate. When the patrol officers attempted to approach the vehicle to verify its identity, the driver sped away and repeatedly attempted to ram the patrol vehicle. The officers pursued him until they managed to intercept and arrest him. He was identified as: – Z. T. (born in 2001, Lebanese) He was wanted by the judiciary on charges of theft and was involved in smuggling Syrian nationals into Lebanese territory. The officers also arrested 13 Syrian nationals (12 men and one woman) who were aboard the vehicle. The investigation revealed that the driver had been transporting the 13 individuals from the border area to Beirut via the mountainous roads of Batroun, in an attempt to avoid security checkpoints. The Syrian nationals were handed over to the relevant authorities to take the necessary legal measures against them. The necessary legal measures were also taken against the driver, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authorities. The investigation remains ongoing to identify all those involved in the smuggling operation.

22/9/2026

The Directorate General of the 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, pursue those involved, and arrest them, the Mount Lebanon Investigation Detachment of the Regional Gendarmerie Unit received information that two individuals were trafficking drugs in the Saadiyat area, aboard a grey Honda vehicle. Following surveillance and investigations, on 14-09-2026, one of the Detachment’s patrols intercepted the vehicle in the aforementioned area and arrested its occupants in the act while they were trafficking drugs. They were identified as: M. H. (born in 2008, Lebanese) K. N. (born in 2005, Palestinian) A search of the two individuals and the vehicle resulted in the seizure of quantities of narcotics and sums of money, as follows: 4 transparent bags containing hashish. 22 bags bearing the inscription “Net El Amir”. 21 bags bearing the inscription “Baz El Amir”. 9 bags bearing the inscription “Ajnabi El Amir”. 4 bags bearing the inscription “Ramel El Amir”. One pistol and one magazine, along with 5 live rounds. Sums of money in Lebanese pounds and US dollars, as well as two mobile phones. The two detainees, along with the vehicle and seized items, were handed over to the competent unit for the necessary legal measures, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authorities.

22/9/2026