{
  "id": 17613184,
  "title": "Lebanon seizes 40kg of cocaine in Beirut airport's largest ever drug bust",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/lebanon-seizes-40kg-of-cocaine-in-beirut-airports-largest-ever-drug",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-01T14:02:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/11/01/lebanon-seizes-40kg-of-cocaine-in-beirut-airports-largest-ever-drug-bust/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lebanese authorities have made their largest drug bust to date, seizing 40kg of cocaine at Beirut airport. The Finance Ministry revealed that Syrian passenger BH, who had arrived from Accra, Ghana, was arrested after arriving at 8pm on Saturday. Custom officials, collaborating with the General Directorate of General Security, intercepted the passenger's luggage, discovering 40 packages each containing roughly 1kg of the drug. Additionally, Apple AirTags, which can be used to track objects, were concealed inside the packages. Investigations are underway to uncover the full extent of the suspected trafficking network and to apprehend any additional suspects involved. Lebanon, like other Middle Eastern nations, has been actively combating the illegal drug trade. In September 2025, the Lebanese army conducted another significant bust, seizing 64 million Captagon pills and 79 barrels of chemicals in the town of Boudai in the Baalbek district. The army also discovered equipment believed to be used for Captagon production, noting that the Bekaa Valley, where Hezbollah has strongholds, has long been recognized as a hub for Captagon manufacturing.",
  "summary": "Lebanese authorities have arrested a Syrian passenger after seizing 40kg of cocaine at Beirut’s airport, in what the Finance Ministry described as the largest drug bust in the airport's history. The ministry said customs officers, working with the General Directorate of General Security, had foiled an attempt to smuggle the drugs into Lebanon. The passenger, identified by his initials as BH,…",
  "key_points": [
    "Lebanese authorities seize 40kg of cocaine at Beirut airport.",
    "Syrian passenger BH arrested with 40 packages of cocaine.",
    "Investigation underway to uncover trafficking network."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "Syrian arrested in Beirut with 46.7kg of cocaine from Accra",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/syrian-arrested-in-beirut-with-46-7kg-of-cocaine-from-accra",
        "published": "2026-11-01T14:36:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Syrian arrested at Beirut Airport with 40kg suspected cocaine shipment from Ghana – NACOC confirms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/syrian-arrested-at-beirut-airport-with-40kg-suspected-cocaine",
        "published": "2026-11-01T15:19:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}