Conflict Incident Report

Four people suspected of being involved in drug production and impersonating security services were arrested Wednesday by a force from the Judicial Police’s International Crime Prevention Office and with support from a SWAT team, an ISF statement said Friday.

The suspects, identified as M.H., born in 1988, N.H., born in 2000, Aa.S.Sh., born in 1996 and Aa.N.Sh., born in 1988, were reportedly impersonating security forces in an effort to transfer a “drug manufacturing plant,” from Bsous in Aley to the Bekaa Valley.

They were arrested driving a black Range Rover that contained four jackets emblazoned with “the name of one of the security services.” A gun was also reportedly found in the car along with two ID cards and two fake passports.

During questioning, the suspects reportedly admitted to stealing some of the tools and materials used for drug manufacturing. They also reportedly admitted to working for a drug dealer, identified as J.Sh., and to using their guise as security services to facilitate the thefts.

Suspect Aa.N.Sh was reportedly wanted on seven warrants, including for attempted murder, drug trafficking, kidnapping, shooting and transfer of military-grade weapons.

ISF said a drug factory was subsequently raided and large quantities of “raw materials, machinery and tools used in the manufacture of drugs were seized.”

The suspects are undergoing further investigation, while the factory was sealed with red wax.

Work is underway to arrest accomplices and other suspected members of the ring, ISF said.