The Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) has confirmed the arrest of a Syrian national at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport after approximately 40 kilograms of suspected cocaine concealed in luggage was intercepted following his arrival from Ghana.
According to a statement issued by NACOC on November 1, 2026, the suspect was apprehended on October 31 upon arrival in Lebanon after authorities discovered the suspected narcotics hidden in two pieces of luggage.
NACOC disclosed that the arrest formed part of an ongoing coordinated operation involving Ghanaian and Lebanese law enforcement agencies aimed at dismantling international drug trafficking networks.
The Commission said efforts are currently underway to identify and arrest the suspect’s accomplices in Ghana as investigations continue.
“The successful apprehension resulted from a coordinated controlled delivery exercise carried out through close operational cooperation between Ghanaian and Lebanese drug law enforcement authorities,” the statement said.
NACOC explained that the joint operation was designed not only to intercept the illicit consignment but also to identify and apprehend individuals operating at both ends of the trafficking chain while gathering intelligence to expose the wider transnational criminal syndicate behind the smuggling attempt.
The Commission noted that the operation demonstrates the growing collaboration between Ghana and Lebanon in combating international drug trafficking through intelligence-sharing and joint enforcement actions.
According to NACOC, the seizure underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation in disrupting organised criminal networks involved in the global narcotics trade.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners to combat drug trafficking and prevent Ghana from being used as a transit point for illicit substances.