Army seizes substances used in drug manufacturing in Baalbeck

BEIRUT — The Lebanese Army said Thursday it had seized substances used for drug manufacturing in Baalbeck.

In a statement, the army said a patrol from the Directorate of Intelligence conducted raids on several houses and farms in Riha and Bodai (Baalbeck) belonging to individuals wanted for drug manufacturing and trafficking. It reported that troops “searched a factory containing a large quantity of substances used for drug manufacturing, as well as machines and equipment intended for production, in addition to four vans outfitted as mobile laboratories.”

The seized materials were handed over to the relevant authorities, and operations are ongoing to arrest the wanted individuals, the army statement added.

In recent months, the army and security services have stepped up their fight against drug trafficking under pressure from Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia.