View of a neighborhood in the Baalbeck-Hermel region. (Credit: AFP archive photo)
A Lebanese woman, F.S., her son Ali and several Syrian nationals were arrested on Thursday in the town of Baalbeck by the army's intelligence services, for an unusual crime. According to a security source interviewed by L'Orient-Le Jour's correspondent in the region, the group was digging tunnels under houses in search of gold. An investigation has been launched to determine the true nature of their activity and the reasons why gang members believe that this material could be found in these places.
The security source added that the suspects confessed to having "dug a six-meter trench."
According to L'Orient-Le Jour's correspondent, they were looking for precious metals, while rumors are rife in the region concerning the presence of archaeological "treasures" dating back to the French mandate, or even earlier. According to L'Orient-Le Jour's correspondent, many people carry out these improvised excavations on land that does not belong to them but they are rarely caught.
Given the economic crisis that has gripped Lebanon since 2019, gold is very often considered a safe haven. World gold prices have recently hit record highs.
This article originally appeared in French in L'Oreint-Le Jour.