6/1/2026
The following statement was issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division:
As part of the ongoing efforts to combat pickpocketing and theft by specialized units of the Internal Security Forces across Lebanon, the Information Division received information regarding unidentified individuals stealing motorcycles and using them to commit pickpocketing in several areas of Mount Lebanon Governorate. The most recent incident occurred on November 22, 2025, when two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle stole a woman’s purse from inside her car in the town of Damour. The purse contained cash, a gold chain, documents, and personal belongings. The perpetrators then fled to an unknown location. Following this incident, the Division’s patrols initiated field and investigative procedures to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. As a result of the investigation, the division’s personnel were able to identify the house in Baalshmayeh, Aley, that the perpetrators of the robbery had gone to. Consequently, the identities of all members of the robbery gang were determined, including the homeowner, the mastermind, named: – F.F. (born in 1992, Lebanese), a repeat offender with a history of theft. Orders were given to monitor and arrest him as quickly as possible, in coordination with the judiciary. On December 16, 2025, after careful surveillance, a division patrol apprehended him in Soufar while he was riding a black N Max motorcycle, which was found to have been stolen from Nabatieh on October 21, 2025. The motorcycle was recovered. He confessed to the charges against him, specifically forming a motorcycle theft gang. The gang members would bring the stolen motorcycles to an abandoned building near his residence, from where they would be transported north to be sold to someone who would then smuggle them into Syria. He stated that two members of his gang were responsible for the theft of the bag from inside the car in Damour, in addition to carrying out several pickpocketing incidents in the areas of Nahr al-Mawt, Antelias, and Souk al-Gharb. He also confessed that they had previously stolen a white van from Zouk Mosbeh to use in transporting stolen motorcycles, but due to a malfunction while driving it, they were forced to burn it on the highway in the same area. A search of his home and the abandoned building yielded tools and clothing used in motorcycle thefts and pickpocketing, motorcycle parts, helmets, and identification papers belonging to individuals whose motorcycles had been stolen. The necessary legal action was taken against him, and he was handed over, along with the seized items, to the relevant authority, based on the instructions of the competent judiciary.
Work is still underway to arrest the remaining members of the gang.
Issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations DivisionThe following statement: As part of the daily efforts carried out by the Internal Security Forces to combat crime across various Lebanese regions, the Information Branch obtained information regarding a minor (M.A., born in 2010, Lebanese) who left her family home in the area of Ghalboun on 15-04-2026, carrying approximately USD 2,000 and her personal documents, to an unknown destination. Following this, the specialized units within the branch initiated field and intelligence procedures to uncover the circumstances of the incident. As a result of the investigation, it was revealed that the minor had been communicating with a person via the WhatsApp application, who deceived her into believing that he intended to marry her. He was located on the Lebanese-Syrian border in the Wadi Khaled area, where he lured her and arranged for her to be transported into Syrian territory. He is identified as:M. (born in 2009, Syrian) On 22-04-2026, after approximately 72 hours of the minor’s presence in Syria, the branch’s units, through a precise security operation, were able to locate her in Homs, secure her with trusted individuals, and then transfer her back into Lebanese territory. The girl was handed over to her family based on the direction of the competent judiciary.
24/4/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations DivisionThe following statement: As part of the ongoing efforts by the Internal Security Forces to pursue and arrest individuals involved in drug-related crimes, the Central Anti-Narcotics Office of the Judicial Police Unit received information about a group of individuals of various nationalities attempting to smuggle a quantity of cocaine from a European country into Lebanon عبر Beirut Port, hidden داخل a container carrying beans and peanuts. Following investigations and inquiries conducted by the office, the identities of all members of the network were revealed as follows: S.M. (born in 1971, Spanish) Z.S. (born in 1972, Lebanese) H.A. (born in 1984, Jordanian) Y.B. (born in 2001, Bolivian) On 07-04-2026, in a coordinated operation, they were arrested by a joint force from the Central Anti-Narcotics Office and the Special Group in the areas of Jeita and Hrajel. Upon inspecting the container at Beirut Port, which contained 522 large sacks, 40 kg of cocaine were seized from داخل 5 of them. The drugs were hidden using professional and sophisticated methods, disguised in the form of beige-colored pistachio-like pellets داخل the sacks containing peanuts. It is worth noting that this quantity is typically mixed with other substances to reach a final weight of approximately 120 kg, which dealers then sell. Further investigations also revealed the involvement of A.S. (born in 1981, Lebanese), who was subsequently arrested. The office also managed to lure and arrest two individuals who were planning to receive the shipment: N.A. (born in 1983, French) H.H. (born in 1989, Lebanese) As the investigation expanded, it was determined that the shipment had traveled from Latin America to Europe, and then to Lebanon via Beirut Port. The detainees were found to be part of an international network engaged in drug trafficking and smuggling using professional and deceptive methods. Legal measures were taken against them based on the direction of the competent judicial authority
24/4/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations DivisionThe following statement: On 22-04-2026, a video circulated on a social media platform showing a person throwing stones at passing cars in the Roumieh area, resulting in shattered windows, posing a danger to drivers and their passengers, and causing a state of panic among citizens. Immediately, the Broummana station of the Regional Gendarmerie Unit initiated field and intelligence measures to identify the perpetrator and work on arresting him. On 23-04-2026, following intensive monitoring, investigations, and inquiries carried out in coordination with the Mount Lebanon Investigation Unit, the officers were able to determine the identity and location of the suspect, who was arrested. He is identified as: J.H. (born in 1990, Lebanese) During questioning, he confessed to the acts attributed to him, stating that he had thrown stones at the cars under the influence of drugs, as he believed the vehicles were trying to attack him. He was detained for drug use, throwing stones at vehicles, and endangering their occupants, based on the instruction of the competent judicial authority.
24/4/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations DivisionThe following statement: On 23-03-2026, a lawyer filed a complaint stating that M.Sh. (born in 1996, Syrian national) had been kidnapped by unknown individuals in the Jdeideh area while he was inside a rented Range Rover SUV. Following a field inspection conducted by the Information Branch in the area, two spent shell casings were found—one from a Kalashnikov rifle and another from a military-grade handgun—along with a large bloodstain, which led investigators to suspect that a murder had occurred. Through further follow-up, the rented vehicle was located, and upon searching it, a mobile phone was found inside. The competent units of the branch immediately initiated field and intelligence procedures to uncover the circumstances of the incident. As a result of intensive investigations, the identity of one suspect was established: M.M. (born in 1991, Lebanese) On 28-03-2026, following a precise surveillance operation, a patrol from the Information Branch arrested him in the Zaarour area. A search of his residence led to the seizure of a large quantity of narcotics and military weapons. During interrogation, he confessed to drug trafficking and admitted knowing M.Sh., stating that a dispute had occurred between them at dawn on 23-03-2026 near his residence over drug-related matters. He further stated that the victim pursued him into the building’s parking area accompanied by two individuals in an “FJ” SUV, where the victim pointed a handgun at him and fired without hitting him. The suspect then fired back using a Kalashnikov rifle in his possession, striking M.Sh. and causing him to fall to the ground, while his companions fled. He added that he attempted to assist him, but realized he had died. He then placed the body in his vehicle and transported it to the town of Kfar Aaqab, where he burned it in an attempt to conceal the crime. A site inspection was conducted at the location in Kfar Aaqab where the body was burned, and samples were collected for laboratory analysis. A further search of the suspect’s residence in the same town resulted in the seizure of additional quantities of narcotics. Legal measures were taken against the suspect, and he was referred, along with the seized items, to the competent authority based on the instructions of the relevant judiciary. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects involved
23/4/2026
