Blow-by-blow account of how Syrian was nabbed with 40kg suspected cocaine from Ghana

On Saturday, October 31, 2026, a Syrian national attempted to enter Beirut with a significant amount of suspected cocaine. The suspect, identified as Rafic Hariri, arrived from Accra, Ghana, on Rafic Hariri International Airport. The operation to apprehend him was a joint effort between Lebanon’s General Directorate of General Security and Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission.

Lebanon’s security forces had been monitoring Hariri since he left Ghana, tracking his movements until he arrived at the airport. Upon his arrival, customs officers were alerted and conducted a thorough search of the suspect, uncovering 40 packages of cocaine, each weighing about one kilogramme. This brought the total weight to 40 kilograms.

To further confirm their suspicions, security operatives utilized electronic tracking devices, specifically AirTags, which were discovered inside the shipment. Hariri was subsequently detained and the seized substances were confiscated by authorities. Ongoing investigations are being conducted to determine the full story behind the operation, with a focus on identifying other individuals potentially involved and tracing the shipment’s origin within the supply chain.

Ghana’s Narcotics Control Commission has verified the details of the arrest and is collaborating with Lebanese authorities to apprehend the suspect’s alleged accomplices in their country.