Drug and Cosmetic Smuggling at the Airport
As part of ongoing efforts to combat corruption and curb smuggling through public facilities, MTV website has learned from informed sources that 14 people have been arrested, including six Customs officers, over their alleged involvement in a network smuggling medicines and medical products through Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport.
According to the information, the other eight suspects were transit passengers and travelers arriving from Egypt. They allegedly brought large quantities of smuggled medicines and weight-loss injections into the country in their personal luggage. Preliminary investigations found that the arrested Customs officers had allegedly accepted bribes in exchange for allowing the bags to pass through customs checkpoints without inspection.
The sources said the entire case had been referred to the Financial Crimes Bureau and the Financial Public Prosecution. Financial Public Prosecutor Maher Shaito has formally charged the suspects with accepting bribes, abuse of authority, and facilitating the smuggling of unlicensed medical products.
The sources warned that these medicines pose a serious health risk, explaining that they require very specific storage and refrigeration conditions during transportation—requirements that were allegedly not met. This raises concerns that the products may have spoiled or turned toxic. The sources added that the medicines are being sold on the local market for between $400 and $500 per package.
Separately, informed sources within the Customs Administration told MTV website that an internal disciplinary investigation had been launched against the officers involved, and that strict measures were being taken to prevent similar violations.
The sources stressed that intensive daily efforts are underway to prevent breaches and combat all forms of smuggling through the airport. Any passenger suspected of carrying prohibited goods is immediately referred for a thorough inspection before the case is sent to the relevant judicial authorities. The administration, they added, will not tolerate any attempt to undermine Lebanon’s public health or financial security.
