A man accused of stealing cables was arrested by the Internal Security Forces in Beirut on 14 Sept. 2022. Credit: ISF website
BEIRUT — Internal Security Forces on Wednesday arrested a Lebanese man accused of stealing electrical cables from the network supplying the Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport in southern Beirut, an ISF statement said.
In a statement issued on Thursday, law enforcement said they searched the home of a suspect, H.B., 24, where he was found extracting copper from the stolen cables. The officers also reportedly seized drugs in his possession and noted that he had already been charged with several theft offenses. During questioning, the detainee was said to have confessed to the theft and accused others of being involved as well. Efforts are being made to arrest the other individuals involved, the ISF said.
Thefts of electrical cables, whose components, including valuable supplies of copper, have increased recently, further limit electricity supply as Lebanon struggles with daily outages.