BEIRUT: Customs agents at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport Friday intercepted an attempt to smuggle cocaine into Lebanon, a source told The Daily Star. An American citizen, of European origins, coming from Brazil on an Ethiopian Airlines flight, tried to smuggle 5.3 kilograms of cocaine into the country, but was stopped by the Customs at the airport, the source said. The cocaine was hidden in a plastic container inside his suitcase. The suspect will be referred to the judiciary to stand trial. Security agents seized nearly half a ton of hashish stashed inside soapboxes at Beirut Port Tuesday. The almost 500 kg of hashish was on its way to Canada.
The ship carrying the haul was initially supposed to be headed to Tanzania, but for currently unknown reasons its destination was changed to Canada at the last minute. Several suspects were detained, and questioning is underway. Security forces have been recently busting several drugs smuggling operations. Seizures of Captagon – an amphetamine traditionally mixed with caffeine that is popular among partygoers and front-line militia fighters – have surged over the past several years, especially in Lebanon and neighboring countries.
