Customs Raids in the South Seize Large Quantities of Smuggled Medicines

The General Directorate of Customs announced that "the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Division carried out a qualitative operation in the southern region, resulting in the seizure of large quantities of smuggled human medicines imported irregularly, and the arrest of two individuals involved based on instructions from the competent judiciary, while investigations continue to uncover all threads of the network and identify all those involved."

The operation came after a phase of monitoring, surveillance, and precise tracking, which enabled division elements to identify several locations suspected of being used for storing and distributing smuggled medicines.

After completing field data, and under the direct supervision and follow-up of the Director General of Customs, and based on instructions from the competent judiciary, a force from the division moved and executed raids covering three residential apartments and a sports club in the southern region.

During search operations, the force found large quantities of human medicine items imported irregularly, so they were seized and the violators were taken to the specialized center to take the necessary legal action against them.

The operation did not stop at the initial seizures, as investigations and tracking of leads led to the seizure of an additional quantity of medicines, while scrutiny showed that all seized items are not registered with the Ministry of Public Health, and that they were brought into the country irregularly.

Based on instructions from the competent judiciary, two individuals involved were arrested, while investigations continue to determine the extensions of the network and reveal all those involved in it, pursue them, and take legal measures against them.

This operation falls within the field approach adopted by the General Directorate of Customs in combating smuggling, based on gathering information, monitoring, and tracking leading to execution, with raid and pursuit operations focusing particularly on violations that affect citizen health and public safety.

In this context, customs units continue their operations across various Lebanese territories, prioritizing the fight against smuggled medicines and medical preparations, non-compliant or unknown-source food items, and anything that could pose a risk to citizens' health and food safety.