As part of the Internal Security Forces’ ongoing efforts to curb armed robberies, snatch thefts, and motorcycle thefts across Lebanon, and following a recent increase in such crimes committed by members of a gang operating in several areas of Mount Lebanon, specialized units intensified their field and intelligence operations to identify and apprehend those involved. Following extensive investigations and inquiries, the Information Branch succeeded in identifying the gang members, including its alleged ringleader: H. H. (born in 2002, Lebanese national). He is wanted under 25 judicial warrants for offences including attempted murder, forming a criminal gang, shooting, armed robbery, theft, and snatch theft. He is also the subject of a search and investigation notice for snatch theft. On 10 August 2026, following close surveillance, the Branch’s Special Force spotted him in the Kafaat area while he was stealing a white NMAX motorcycle. When officers attempted to arrest him, he drew a handgun and attempted to fire at them, prompting the officers to open fire. He was wounded in his left foot. After attempting to flee, he was apprehended together with: A. H. (born in 2003, Lebanese national), who is also wanted by the judiciary and was attempting to assist him. The first suspect was taken to hospital for treatment. The stolen white NMAX motorcycle and a mobile phone were seized. During questioning, the first suspect admitted that, together with other accomplices, he had carried out numerous motorcycle thefts and snatched gold chains from the necks of passers-by in Kafaat, Choueifat, Maamoura, Sfeir, Hazmieh, Hadath, and Furn el-Chebbak. He added that he sold the stolen property inside the Bourj el-Barajneh refugee camp and used the proceeds to purchase drugs. He also admitted to using drugs. During questioning, the second suspect also admitted to the allegations against him. The seized motorcycle was returned to its owner. The necessary legal measures were taken against both suspects, and they were referred to the competent authority pursuant to judicial instructions. Efforts remain ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang. Accordingly, and pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authority, the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces is circulating a photograph of detainee H. H. and asks anyone who has fallen victim to his activities to report to the Mount Lebanon Information Branch or call 01-513732, so that the necessary legal procedures can be taken.
22/8/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ ongoing efforts to combat various forms of crime, particularly human trafficking and prostitution-related activities, the Anti-Human Trafficking and Morals Protection Bureau of the Judicial Police Unit received information about an “escort” network engaged in prostitution in Beirut, specifically in the Sodeco area. Investigations and inquiries revealed that the network was operating out of a hotel in the aforementioned area. Following these findings, Bureau patrols succeeded in arresting nine women red-handed: six Brazilian nationals, two Uzbek nationals, and one Moldovan national. Sums of money derived from prostitution activities were also seized from their possession. During questioning, the nine detainees admitted to engaging in prostitution and working as part of an organized network run by two individuals based outside Lebanon, known by the aliases “Yulia” and “Max.” The hotel owner and two employees were also arrested after it was established that they were aware of the prostitution activities taking place inside the hotel. The necessary legal measures were taken against the detainees pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authority.
21/8/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ ongoing efforts to combat drug dealing, specialized units continue their surveillance and pursuit operations to apprehend dealers and seize narcotics intended for distribution. In this context, the Mount Lebanon Investigation Detachment of the Territorial Gendarmerie Unit received information about an individual dealing drugs from a motorcycle in the Hay el-Sellom area. Following close surveillance and monitoring, a patrol arrested him on 17 August 2026 while he was riding a motorcycle. The suspect attempted to resist the officers during his arrest. He was identified as: – A. S. (born in 1998, Syrian national). A search of the suspect resulted in the seizure of 21 small containers holding a white substance, two containers of marijuana, 11 bags of hashish, and 4 large bags containing hashish, in addition to two mobile phones and a sum of money. In a related operation, on the same day, information was received about another individual dealing drugs from a motorcycle in the Hay el-Sellom area. Following surveillance and monitoring, a patrol arrested him while he was riding the motorcycle. According to his statement, he is: – M. D. (born in 2009, Syrian national). A search of the suspect resulted in the seizure of 12 sealed medium-sized containers and 3 containers of various sizes holding a white substance, in addition to a mobile phone and a sum of money. The two detainees and the seized items were handed over to the competent unit for the necessary legal action, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authority.
21/8/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ daily efforts to curb drug dealing across various regions of Lebanon, the Information Branch obtained information about an unidentified individual involved in drug dealing in several areas of the Mount Lebanon Governorate. Following this information, the Branch’s specialized units launched field and intelligence operations to identify and arrest the dealer. Investigations and inquiries led to his identification as: S. H. (born in 1992, Lebanese national). On 17 August 2026, following close surveillance and monitoring, a patrol from the Branch caught him red-handed while dealing drugs in the Ouzai area, aboard a blue “Sweet” motorcycle, which was seized. A search of the suspect and the motorcycle resulted in the seizure of the following narcotics: 25 packets, each containing a small plastic container filled with cocaine; 14 packets, each containing a plastic capsule filled with “Baz”; 4 packets, each containing a small plastic container filled with “Cocaine Net”; One nylon bag containing hashish; A mobile phone and a sum of money. A search of his residence in the Mreijeh area also resulted in the seizure of: 32 packets, each containing a plastic capsule filled with “Baz Hajar”; 44 packets, each containing a small plastic container or capsule filled with cocaine; A sheet of paper listing a drug inventory, as well as a sum of money. During questioning, he admitted to the charges against him, including dealing drugs. The necessary legal measures were taken against him, and he was handed over, together with the seized items, to the competent authority pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authority. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining individuals involved.
21/8/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ ongoing efforts to combat various forms of crime, the Information Branch obtained information about an unidentified individual suspected of carrying out several motorcycle thefts in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. A video circulated on social media also showed him stealing a motorcycle in the Airport Road area. Following this information, the Branch’s specialized units launched field and intelligence operations to identify and arrest the suspect. Investigations and inquiries led to his identification as: M. J. (born in 1997, Lebanese national), who has a criminal record for drug-related offences. Orders were subsequently issued to locate and arrest him in coordination with the judicial authorities. On 10 August 2026, following close surveillance and monitoring, a patrol from the Information Branch arrested him in the Airport Road area. Officers seized from his possession a screwdriver used in motorcycle thefts, brass knuckles, a GPS device, a wristwatch, a car key, personal documents belonging to another individual, a mobile phone, and a sum of money. During questioning, he admitted to stealing numerous motorcycles in several areas, including Airport Road, Beirut’s southern suburbs, Baabda, and Ain el-Remmaneh, and to selling them to an individual in the Sabra area. He also admitted to using drugs. The necessary legal measures were taken against him, and he was handed over, together with the seized items, to the competent authority, in accordance with the instructions of the competent judicial authority.
20/8/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the ongoing efforts by Internal Security Forces units to combat various forms of crime and apprehend those responsible, on 13 August 2026, following the circulation on several social media platforms of a video showing an individual stealing electrical transformers and circuit breakers belonging to elevators from inside three residential buildings in the Tariq el-Jdideh area, an investigation was launched. Following intensive investigative efforts, and less than an hour after the video was circulated, a patrol from the Beirut Investigation Detachment of the Beirut Police Unit succeeded in identifying the perpetrator and locating him in the Tariq el-Jdideh – Ard Jalloul area. He was arrested in a carefully planned ambush and was identified as: A. S. (born in 1997, Palestinian national). The detainee was handed over to the competent unit, and the investigation is ongoing under the supervision of the competent judicial authority.
19/8/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ daily efforts to combat all forms of crime throughout Lebanon, particularly drug trafficking and distribution, the Mount Lebanon Investigation Detachment of the Territorial Gendarmerie Unit received information indicating that an individual was dealing drugs inside a café where he worked in the Bir Hassan area. The café is owned by A. A. (born in 1964, Syrian national). Following this information, patrols from the detachment launched investigative measures and succeeded in identifying and arresting the suspect in the aforementioned area. According to his statement, he is: A. Sh. (born in 2002, Syrian national). A search of the suspect resulted in the seizure of the following: A black “Landy” motorcycle without licence plates; 6 large plastic containers holding transparent nylon bags containing crystal meth; One small plastic container containing crystal meth; 5 transparent nylon bags containing hashish; 15 transparent nylon bags containing Captagon pills, as well as empty nylon bags intended for packaging and dividing drugs into smaller quantities; US$100 in counterfeit currency, an HP laptop, a mobile phone, an individual civil registry extract, a copy of an identity card, and a voter card, none of which belonged to him. During questioning, he admitted to dealing drugs. Further investigation revealed that the café owner, A. A., and his son, H. A., were also involved in drug trafficking. Both are currently at large. Another individual who had been supplying these substances to the café and to a hotel was also arrested. According to his statement, he is: H. Sh. (born in 2010, Lebanese national). Searches of the homes of the café owner and his son in Bir Hassan resulted in the seizure of a quantity of weapons and ammunition from the son’s residence, including: One Kalashnikov assault rifle with 3 magazines, each with a capacity of 30 rounds; Two magazines, each with a capacity of 20 rounds; One AKS-type magazine and a beige tactical vest; 146 serviceable rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition; 4 rounds of 5.45 mm ammunition; One small drone with one battery, stored in a small grey case. The two detainees, A. Sh. and H. Sh., together with the seized items, were handed over to the competent unit for the necessary legal action. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining individuals involved, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judicial authority.
19/8/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: Acting on the instructions of the competent judicial authority, the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces is circulating photographs of the following two detainees: R. R. (born in 1999, Lebanese national) A. F. (born in 1994, Lebanese national) They are suspected of engaging in extortion and demanding illegal payments from visitors to the Bab al-Raml cemetery in Tripoli. It was also established that the second detainee is the subject of an arrest warrant for a drug-related offence. Accordingly, the Directorate General asks anyone who has fallen victim to their activities and recognizes them to report to the Bab al-Raml ISF station, under the Territorial Gendarmerie Unit, or to call 06-423491, so that the necessary legal measures can be taken.
18/8/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ ongoing efforts to combat crimes of all kinds, and as part of its efforts to track down and arrest drug dealers, the Mount Lebanon Investigation Detachment of the Territorial Gendarmerie Unit received information about an individual dealing drugs from a motorcycle in the Airport Road area. Accordingly, a unit from the detachment proceeded to the location, where the suspect was spotted. Following surveillance and monitoring, on 11 August 2026, the patrol arrested him while he was on an unregistered silver “Abrio” motorcycle. He was identified as: J. T. (born in 1996, Syrian national). A search of the suspect resulted in the seizure of: 17 transparent bags containing a narcotic substance, packaged in blue paper bearing the words “Gram Net Extra”; 4 transparent bags containing a narcotic substance, packaged in green paper bearing the words “Gram Baz Extra”; a sum of money and a mobile phone. The suspect, along with the seized items and substances and the motorcycle, was handed over to the relevant police station for the necessary legal measures to be taken against him, pursuant to the instructions of the competent judiciary.
18/8/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: A large number of citizens are receiving SMS messages on their mobile phones from senders falsely claiming that the messages were issued by the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces. The messages claim that the recipient has incurred a traffic violation for exceeding the permitted speed limit, and include a violation number, the date of the alleged violation, and a reference to the traffic law currently in force. The messages also contain an online link through which recipients are asked to pay the purported fine. Accordingly, the Directorate General urges anyone who receives such messages not to click on the link or enter any personal or banking information through it, as doing so could expose their bank accounts and cards to the risk of data and financial theft.
17/8/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ ongoing efforts to combat crimes of all kinds, the Baabda Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit received a complaint filed by A. B. against an unknown person for forging property documents, using forged documents, and fraud. The detachment also received two reports, one from a notary public’s office in Jounieh and the other from a notary public’s office in the Bekaa, concerning documents suspected of being forged, including powers of attorney, a property title deed, and an identity card. As part of its inquiries and investigations, the aforementioned detachment took statements from several other complainants, who reported that S. A., in collaboration with J. J. Gh., had forged property documents belonging to the complainant. The two then mortgaged the property to several individuals with the intention of defrauding them and obtaining their money. During questioning, J. J. Gh., who had been arrested by the Mount Lebanon Information Branch, admitted to the allegations against him. He stated that S. A. had forged documents relating to several properties and that his own role had been limited to mortgaging them. As a result of inquiries, investigations, surveillance, and close monitoring, and following intensive security efforts, the whereabouts of the following individual were identified in coordination with the Special Group of the Judicial Police Unit: S. A. (born in 1975, Lebanese), who was arrested in a carefully planned ambush. He was the subject of two search and investigation notices and eight arrest and apprehension warrants for fraud, forgery, and other offenses. During questioning, he admitted to the allegations against him and acknowledged that, in collaboration with others, he had forged several documents, property deeds, powers of attorney, and identity cards in various areas. The properties were subsequently mortgaged in order to obtain sums of money through these fraudulent schemes. All those involved, who had divided the roles among themselves in carrying out these fraudulent operations, were arrested pursuant to the instructions of the competent judiciary.
17/8/2026
The Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has begun rehabilitation works on the damaged retaining walls along the Bikfaya–Dhour Choueir main road. The works will continue until 29 August 2026. The aforementioned road will be completely closed to traffic throughout the duration of the works. Traffic traveling from Bikfaya toward Dhour Choueir will be diverted via the Deir Mar Elias–Chouaya road, while traffic coming from the Metn Express Highway will be diverted via the Chalimar road, and vice versa. Accordingly, the Directorate General asks citizens and motorists using the aforementioned road to comply with the posted traffic signs and follow the instructions of Internal Security Forces personnel in order to avoid congestion.
17/8/2026
