Naharnet

Army Cracks Down on Syrians, Busts Drugs Depot

The army conducted several raids in the Bekaa Valley, the eastern city of Zahle and the northern district of Akkar, detaining several Syrian nationals and busting a drugs warehouse.

The military said in a communique issued Saturday that it raided a drugs hideout in Bekaa Valley town of Bechwat, seizing 19 kilograms of hashish and 150 kilograms of its seeds.

The statement also said that a military force raided on Friday Syrian refugee encampments in the Deir Ammar town in Akkar and the industrial zone in Zahle.

Sixty-one Syrians were arrested for not holding any identification papers and the illegal entry to Lebanon.

The army also confiscated a violating pick up truck and 12 other motorcycles.

The detainees along with the seized items were referred to the involved authorities to take the appropriate measures.

On Friday, the army said in a statement that it detained 53 Syrians in different areas across Lebanon.

The army has been cracking down on Syrian refugees across the country after the military engaged in battles with militants from al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front and the Islamic State group in Arsal in August.

There are fears that the Syrian refugee encampments in Lebanon could turn into areas that harbor militants, or a springboard to head to Syrian or Lebanese territories for violent acts.

H.K.

D.A.


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