The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces’ ongoing efforts to combat fraud and apprehend its perpetrators, the Beirut Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit arrested one of the most dangerous fraudsters, who had defrauded a number of monks and nuns. On June 18, 2026, the Beirut Judicial Detachment received a complaint filed by a religious association against an unknown person for defrauding one of the nuns affiliated with the association. Investigations revealed that the suspect had deceived the nun by claiming that he intended to donate a large sum of money to her and that he had deposited an amount in a bank account opened in her name in the United States of America. Through his fraudulent manoeuvres, he convinced her to hand over her passport and induced her to transfer large sums of money in several instalments, allegedly to cover fees, taxes, and money-transfer expenses. To lend credibility to his claims, he sent her forged bank cheques and assumed several fictitious identities and names, including “Asha,” the alleged donor; “Sivak,” presented as the donor’s friend and the purported manager of the bank in the United States; “Jennifer,” Sivak’s daughter; as well as “François,” “Georges Chamas,” “Anthony,” and “Elie Al-Asmar,” whom he claimed were financial managers at the said bank. He contacted her using various Lebanese and foreign telephone numbers. The nun transferred sums of money to the suspect in several instalments. The Beirut Judicial Detachment subsequently launched field and intelligence operations. Following extensive inquiries and investigations, it identified the perpetrator as: S. G. (born in 1979, Lebanese), who has a criminal record involving fraud offences, particularly those targeting members of the clergy. After surveillance and follow-up operations, a patrol from the detachment arrested him in the Badaro area. During questioning, he confessed to the accusations against him and admitted that he had carried out the fraudulent operations alone, using multiple telephone numbers and fictitious names. He also admitted that he had thrown the complainant’s passport into a rubbish bin. It was further established that he had used the same method to defraud a number of other monks and nuns. He was referred to the competent authority for the necessary legal action. Accordingly, and based on the instructions of the competent judiciary, the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces requests that anyone who has fallen victim to similar fraudulent acts report to the Beirut Judicial Detachment of the Judicial Police Unit, located at the Barbar El-Khazen Barracks in Verdun, or call 01-810171, so that the necessary legal measures may be taken.

23/7/2026

The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: During the summer season, vacationers, including citizens and tourists, visit various tourist destinations to enjoy a range of summer activities, including, but not limited to, riding personal watercraft, commonly known as jet skis. The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces has observed that, in many cases, these watercraft are operated in a random and unregulated manner and launched from locations that are either not designated for this purpose or not supervised by qualified personnel. Such practices may result in accidents and expose jet-ski users and beachgoers to serious risks. Accordingly, the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces is circulating the following safety requirements and awareness guidelines to private swimming-pool owners and jet-ski enthusiasts: Jet skis may only be launched or operated from designated marine corridors specifically allocated for this purpose and clearly marked with the necessary buoys and maritime signs. Jet skis are strictly prohibited from launching from beaches designated for swimming or from any unauthorized or unsupervised location. All resorts, marine clubs, and jet-ski rental stations must establish safe, clearly designated launch and docking points in advance. Jet skis are prohibited from operating within swimming areas or near the shoreline and must maintain a minimum safety distance of 200 metres from the shore. Mandatory speed restrictions shall apply within marine corridors and during entry and exit. Dangerous manoeuvres or demonstrations near the shore are strictly prohibited. Jet-ski users must wear mandatory life jackets and comply with all maritime safety requirements. Jet skis may not be operated by minors or unqualified individuals. They may not be rented out without first verifying the user’s eligibility and providing the necessary safety instructions. Rental stations and centres must comply with the following requirements: A qualified safety supervisor must be present. Initial transportation means must be provided. All jet-ski departures and returns must be recorded. Operating hours must be set in a manner that does not endanger public safety. Full compliance must be maintained with the conditions established by the General Directorate of Land and Maritime Transport and all other competent authorities. In the interest of public safety, the General Directorate calls upon both those responsible for this activity and jet-ski enthusiasts to act responsibly and fully comply with the above-mentioned requirements and guidelines, in order to protect their own safety and that of others.

23/7/2026

The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Information Branch's daily efforts to combat drug trafficking and distribution throughout Lebanon, intelligence was obtained indicating that two unidentified individuals were storing narcotic drugs in an apartment in the Jnah area and distributing them. Based on this information, the competent units of the Information Branch were tasked with conducting field operations and investigations to identify and apprehend the suspects. The investigation led to the identification of the apartment they were using in Jnah, and the suspects were identified as: M.K. (born in 2003, Syrian); M.A. (born in 1986, Syrian), who is the subject of a final court judgment for theft. On 7 July 2026, following close surveillance, a special unit from the Information Branch raided the apartment and arrested both suspects inside. A search of the suspects and the apartment resulted in the seizure of: one plastic container holding approximately 10.9 kg of a white substance; 13 plastic capsules containing a white substance, weighing approximately 4 g each; 14 plastic capsules containing a white granular substance, weighing approximately 4 g each; 15 plastic capsules marked "2", containing a white substance, weighing approximately 6 g each; 14 plastic capsules marked "5", containing a white substance, weighing approximately 9 g each; one bag containing approximately 8 g of cannabis; 20 Tramadol tablets; two bags containing 16 colored narcotic tablets; 4 empty plastic capsules marked "kok," "2," or "5"; 4 mobile phones, an amount of cash, a booklet of rolling papers, and a bag containing colored plastic straws; one unregistered pink motorcycle. During questioning, the first suspect admitted that he had been distributing narcotics on behalf of another individual, while the second suspect also confessed to the offenses attributed to him. The necessary legal measures were taken against both suspects, and they, together with the seized items, were referred to the competent judicial authority pursuant to the instructions of the competent prosecutor.

23/7/2026

The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following statement: As part of the Internal Security Forces' ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking across Lebanon, the Information Branch obtained intelligence indicating that an unidentified individual was dealing narcotic drugs in the Mount Lebanon area. Following extensive investigations and intelligence-gathering, the branch identified the suspect as: A.A.M. (born in 1994, Lebanese), who is the subject of two arrest warrants for armed robbery and fraud. On 7 July 2026, following close surveillance, an Information Branch patrol arrested him in the act in the Ouzai area while he was selling narcotics from an unregistered black GR motorcycle, which was seized. A search of the suspect and the motorcycle resulted in the seizure of: 24 plastic capsules containing a white rock-like substance, weighing approximately 5 grams each; 96 plastic capsules containing a white rock-like substance, weighing approximately 4 grams each; 30 plastic capsules containing a white substance, weighing approximately 12 grams each; 10 plastic capsules marked "A1", containing a white substance, weighing approximately 5 grams each; 5 plastic capsules marked "A2", containing a white substance, weighing approximately 5 grams each; one booklet of rolling papers; one mobile phone; an amount of cash. During questioning, the suspect confessed to the offenses attributed to him, admitting that he had been dealing narcotics in the Mount Lebanon area. The necessary legal measures were taken against him, and he, together with the seized items, was referred to the competent judicial authority pursuant to the instructions of the competent prosecutor.

22/7/2026