Conflict Incident Report

The Drug Enforcement Office in south Lebanon arrested a suspected drug dealer after he fled the police, wrecking 17 cars in the process, a security source told The Daily Star Friday.

The man, identified as Ali H. was in a bakery buying bread in the town of Zifta in Nabatieh when a municipal police officer recognized him and called the Internal Security Forces. Ali then stole the officer's car and fled the scene, crashing into 17 cars as he tried to escape. ISF personnel fired on the car but could not stop the suspect. They were able to arrest him after he drove off the road into a ditch.

He was taken to the Labib medical center in Sidon for treatment of his injuries from the crash, where he was placed under tight security.

Ali H., who had a number of warrants out for his arrest, used to operate in Burj al-Barajneh, but after the Lebanese authorities were closing in on him, he fled to the south with a partner, identified as Louay Aa. The latter was arrested in August 2017.

The ISF is currently dealing with the wrecked cars and searching for places Ali H. hid his stash of drugs to distribute.