Milk Smuggling Operation Foiled in Hermel

The competent authorities managed on the night of Sunday - Monday, May 25, 2026, to intercept a smuggling operation of quantities of milk at the Al-Asi checkpoint in the Hermel area.

The operation comes within the framework of the ongoing campaign carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture - the Baalbek Hermel Agriculture Department to combat fraud and smuggling of milk and its derivatives of cheeses and dairy products across the Syrian border into Lebanese territory, in cooperation and coordination with the Lebanese Army and its units deployed in the northern Bekaa belonging to the Ninth Brigade.

This operation falls within the monitoring and inspection plan implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture with the aim of combating smuggling operations and protecting Lebanese markets from products not subject to health and technical control, due to the risks they may pose to public health and food safety, in addition to the damage caused to Lebanese farmers, breeders, and producers.

The Ministry of Agriculture confirmed that its field campaigns will continue in cooperation with the Lebanese Army and the relevant authorities, within the framework of strengthening control over border crossings and roads, and preventing the entry of violative products, to preserve consumer safety and support national production.

The Ministry stressed that "protecting the agricultural sector and Lebanese livestock constitutes a fundamental priority, especially in light of the current economic challenges," affirming "its commitment to continuing measures aimed at enhancing food security and establishing quality and safety standards in Lebanese markets."