Lebanon’s Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar said in remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat on Thursday that Lebanon has taken a major leap forward in combatting the smuggling and manufacturing of narcotics.
He said the political authority is dealing with this matter with utmost seriousness, proving unwavering support for the security apparatuses that in turn are carrying out their missions with exceptional precision, combatting any attempt to smuggle drugs to and from Lebanon and then to the Gulf states.
He noted that the oath of office of President Joseph Aoun touched on this matter and so did the ministerial statement.
“After the election of President Joseph Aoun as head of state, it was noticeable how his oath of office included the need to combat narcotics, and so did the ministerial statement”, said Hajjar.
He stressed that he too had included this pressing matter as one of the goals that the interior ministry seeks to complete. “It became one of the 10 priorities the ministry had to attend to”.
“From the first meetings, I notified the relevant authorities that combatting narcotics is a national priority, and indeed each security apparatus took its own part in that regard. The Lebanese army exerted major efforts dismantling Captagon factories, raiding some real sensitive locations, the latest were in the Shatila Palestinian refugee camp which had long been outside the Lebanese state’s authority”, said the minister.
He also pointed to other raids carried out in north Lebanon, Baalbek, the outskirts of Yammoune, and other locations.
Coordination with Saudi Security
Hajjar emphasized that Lebanon has taken a major stride forward in combatting narcotics.
He said that during the last drug seizing operation, intel from the Saudi General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) was forwarded to Lebanon about the presence of cocaine quantities at the Tripoli port. “The Central Anti-Narcotics Bureau in Lebanon reacted swiftly and decisively, confiscating 125 kilograms of cocaine. The largest seized in years”.
The Minister added that another operation, in collaboration with the Saudi authorities, managed to confiscate large quantities of Captagon that was bound to be smuggled to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, and then to Kuwait.
Hajjar underscored that the useful collaboration between Saudi and Lebanese authorities, and the prompt and serious investigations managed to break these smuggling cells.
Anti-smuggling campaigns of narcotics have been “ongoing for months”, he added, noting that the matter is a priority for the Lebanese state.
The Internal Security Forces’ Information Branch has also done an outstanding job, added the minister noting that it continues to achieve major accomplishments in counter-terrorism and organized crime, with significant roles and achievements.
The Branch succeeded at detaining smuggling networks with international reach trafficking Captagon and hashish towards Gulf markets and Egypt.
These smugglers had previously carried out operations targeting Australia and Türkiye, and maintained connections and operatives in both Türkiye and Jordan.
“The head of the network and several other individuals were apprehended, and approximately 6.5 million Captagon pills and 720 kilograms of hashish were seized. The narcotics had been packaged and prepared for shipment to the Port of Beirut. It was a perfectly preemptive operation”, underscored Hajjar.
Development as an Economic Alternative
Alongside efforts to combat drug trafficking and dismantle related networks, Hajjar noted that the state is working to develop remote regions where drug traffickers are active. He pointed out that the government has approved the Cannabis Regulatory Authority, which will oversee production according to specific rules, standards, and conditions.
He explained that the goal is “to promote the development of areas where the cultivation of illegal hashish once took place. Now, industrial hemp will be grown there for medical purposes under the supervision of the regulatory authority, which will play a developmental role.”
He also mentioned agricultural projects in Akkar (northern Lebanon), saying that “the Lebanese state views development across all regions, especially the Bekaa Valley and Akkar, as a priority.” He affirmed that development is among the government’s top priorities.
