In Lebanon: Gang Abducts Girls... for Prostitution!

Issued by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Section:

"As part of the ongoing efforts by the Internal Security Forces to combat crime across various regions of Lebanon, intelligence was received by the Intelligence Branch regarding the activities of unidentified individuals involved in facilitating prostitution in the areas of Mount Lebanon and Keserwan, including the abduction of girls working in this field and demanding ransom payments from their employers in exchange for their release.

Following this, specialized units within the branch intensified their field and technical operations to identify and apprehend those involved. As a result of investigations and inquiries, the branch managed to identify several individuals, including:

– D. A. (born 1984, Lebanese), with prior criminal records and wanted on judicial warrants.

– M. A. (born 1982, Lebanese).

On July 23, 2026, after a meticulous surveillance and monitoring operation, one of the branch’s patrols succeeded in arresting them in the Mansourieh area, inside a "Kia" vehicle, grayish color, which was seized. During the arrest, they attempted to resist the patrol officers, leading to the use of necessary force to subdue and detain them.

Upon interrogation, the first individual confessed to his involvement with others in facilitating prostitution and transporting girls to hotels for various clients, including:

M. H. (born 1994, Lebanese)

He also admitted to firing weapons of military caliber.

The second individual admitted knowledge of the first’s role in transporting girls and acknowledged accompanying him on multiple occasions, while denying any involvement in abductions or extortion demands. Both also confessed to drug use, specifically the substance "Baz Cocaine".

Upon questioning M. H., he admitted collaborating with others in extorting money from individuals running competing prostitution networks in several areas of Mount Lebanon, where they lured girls working in these networks by pretending there were clients. Upon arrival at the hotel meeting point, they would stop the vehicle carrying the girl, seize her phone, and instruct the driver to contact the person she was working for, informing them that she was being held until a ransom payment between $500 and $1,500 was made.

The victims were detained in buildings or hotels located in the following areas: Al-Hazmieh, Mansourieh, Tbourja, Jounieh, Ghazir, Ain el-Ramaneh, Chiyah, South Suburbs, Zlaka, and Antelias.

Legal procedures were carried out against them, and they were transferred along with the seized vehicle to the competent judicial authority, pursuant to judicial instructions, with ongoing efforts to apprehend the remaining individuals involved."