An agent of the Lebanese Internal Security Forces. (Credit: Anwar Amro/AFP)
BEIRUT — An alleged smuggler active on the border between Lebanon and Syria and suspected of belonging to the Daesh (Islamic State) terrorist organization was arrested in North Lebanon by the Halba judicial police, the Internal Security Forces reported Monday.
Here’s what we know:
• According to the ISF’s statement, the suspect, identified as MA, a 33-year-old Lebanese national, was located on Feb. 9 in an apartment located in Aamayer, in the Wadi Khaled area. The ISF statement adds that he was arrested the same day while in the company of two Syrian individuals, who it transpired had entered Lebanese territory illegally.
• The ISF statement adds that the suspect admitted during his interrogation to having accepted sums of money to smuggle people from neighboring Syria.
• The border between Lebanon and Syria is largely porous, making it challenging for Lebanese authorities to combat human trafficking and other smuggling activities across the frontier between the countries.