8/6/2026
Issued by the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division
The following communiqué was issued:
As part of the daily efforts undertaken by the Internal Security Forces to combat theft and embezzlement crimes across various Lebanese regions and arrest those responsible, on 14-05-2026, the Information Branch received information that H. Sh. (born in 1983, Lebanese) had stolen USD 429,000 belonging to Banque de Financement – Hamra Branch while transporting the funds from Banque du Liban to the bank.
Consequently, the specialized units of the Information Branch launched field and intelligence operations to locate the suspect, arrest him, and recover the embezzled funds. Through technical surveillance and within a short period of time, it was established that the suspect had headed to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport accompanied by another individual who was assisting him in fleeing to an African country. The accomplice was identified as:
A. A. (born in 1986, Lebanese)
On the same date, as a result of immediate follow-up and coordination with the security agencies at the airport, both suspects were arrested inside the airport. An amount of USD 7,870 was found in their possession.
A search of the second suspect’s residence led to the seizure of USD 420,000.
During interrogation, H. Sh. admitted that he had been employed as a courier for the bank since 2011 and had premeditated the theft after learning the schedule of regular cash transfers from Banque du Liban. He stated that he had conspired with the second suspect, who was supposed to help him flee to an African country and share the stolen money.
He further confessed that on 14-05-2026 he lured the employee responsible for transporting the funds and stole the bag containing the money. He then fled to the Airport Road area, where he met the second suspect, and together they headed to the airport in preparation for leaving Lebanon. However, they were arrested before they could depart.
A. A. also admitted to the charges brought against him.
The entire stolen amount was recovered and handed over to the management of Banque de Financement.
The necessary legal measures were taken against both suspects, and they were referred to the competent judicial authority upon the instructions of the competent judiciary.
The General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division issued the following: The Street Food Festival will be held in the town of Aaqoura, Jbeil District, from 8:00 p.m. on July 24, 2026, until July 26, 2026. As a result, part of the main road will be closed to traffic, while all entrances to and exits from the town will remain fully accessible. Citizens are therefore requested to take note of these measures and comply with the instructions of the Internal Security Forces personnel assigned to carry out this mission, as well as with the directional traffic signs, in order to prevent congestion.
24/7/2026
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 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