Lebanese authorities have arrested a Syrian traveller who flew in from Accra, Ghana, with 46.7 kilogrammes of cocaine, in what has been described as the biggest drug bust ever recorded at Rafic Hariri International Airport.
The General Directorate of Customs announced on Sunday, November 1, 2026, that the suspect, identified only as B.H., was nabbed on Saturday, October 31, in a joint operation with General Security. He landed in Beirut on Middle East Airlines flight MEA 576 from Accra.
According to Customs, a search of his luggage uncovered 40 parcels of cocaine packed with advanced concealment techniques, using heavy insulation and packaging materials meant to beat airport scanners. Tracking devices were also found planted inside the parcels.
“Electronic tracking devices were also found inside the packages,” the statement said, noting the drugs were hidden to avoid detection by scanning machines.
Preliminary findings show the man had crossed into Lebanon through the Masnaa border weeks ago, travelled to Accra, and then returned to Beirut with the consignment.
Investigators believe he was acting as a courier for an organised trafficking ring and was supposed to hand over the drugs at a pre-arranged location. Efforts are underway to trace the intended recipient.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam praised Customs and General Security for foiling the attempt, hailing their coordination and intelligence sharing.In a post on X by the Grand Serail, he said Lebanon’s air, land and sea borders “would not serve as conduits for drug smuggling, money laundering or any other illegal activities.
”He said government will tighten border security, deepen inter-agency collaboration and crack down on smuggling networks and organised crime.
The bust follows other major seizures at the same airport. In August, Internal Security Forces arrested a Lebanese man arriving from Brazil with 4.9kg of cocaine hidden in false bottoms of two suitcases mixed with adhesive.
A month before that, Customs intercepted 3.5 tonnes of narcotics at the Port of Beirut in a shipment said to be headed for an unnamed African country.
Authorities say they are working with foreign partners to share intelligence and stop the airport and seaports from being used as transit hubs for drug trafficking.
