Massive Cocaine Haul: Lebanon Intercepts 40kg at Beirut Airport in Record Drug Bust

Lebanese authorities have apprehended a Syrian passenger following the seizure of 40kg of cocaine at Beirut's airport, an operation the Finance Ministry has hailed as the largest drug bust in the airport's history. According to the ministry, customs officers, in collaboration with the General Directorate of General Security, successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle the illicit substances into Lebanon.

The passenger, identified by his initials as BH, arrived from Accra, Ghana, at 8 PM on Saturday, as confirmed by the General Security. The authorities had been monitoring the passenger since his departure from Ghana. Upon disembarking the plane, officers followed him as he collected his two bags. In a joint operation with customs officers, his luggage was searched, revealing 40 packages, each weighing approximately 1kg, containing cocaine. Notably, Apple AirTags tracking devices were also discovered concealed within these packages.

The passenger was subsequently arrested, and the seized items were confiscated. The General Security stated that investigations are ongoing to fully ascertain the scope of the suspected trafficking network and to apprehend any other individuals involved. The discovery was made within the luggage of a Syrian passenger who had traveled from Ghana.

Lebanese authorities suspect this shipment is part of a larger smuggling operation. Lebanon, similar to other Middle Eastern nations, has been actively engaged in efforts to combat the illegal drug trade. In September 2025, Lebanon made one of its largest drug seizures in history, confiscating a substantial consignment of the illegal drug Captagon. At that time, the Lebanese army reported seizing 64 million Captagon pills and 79 barrels of chemicals in the town of Boudai, located in the Baalbek district. Machines believed to be used for drug manufacturing were also found at the site. The army indicated that they had tracked the movements of trafficking gangs in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley prior to executing the raid. This region has long been recognized as a hub for Captagon production, with strongholds associated with Hezbollah.