Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces thwarted an operation to illegally transport Syrians from Lebanon to Cyprus, arresting ten people at accommodation in the Al-Aboudiya area. According to an announcement by the authorities, made public by the Lebanese Armed Forces, two people had undertaken to organise their sea transfer for a fee of $5,000 per person.
The case came to light following information gathered by specialised units of the Information Branch. Lebanese authorities stepped up surveillance to identify those involved and prevent the departure before the planned sea transfer.
Nine arrested
Investigations led to the room where the Syrians were staying while awaiting their transfer. The accommodation belonged to a Syrian national born in 1986, identified in the announcement by the initials M.M. M.M. and nine Syrians were arrested.
During questioning, the detainees said that a Lebanese man and a Syrian man were preparing their illegal transfer. They also said that the two smugglers had collected $5,000 for each person as payment for the journey.
The Public Relations Directorate of the Internal Security Forces described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to combat irregular migration from Lebanon’s northern coast to European countries using unsafe vessels.
The detainees were handed over to the competent authority after the prescribed legal procedures had been followed and on the instructions of the competent judicial authority. Investigations are continuing to identify and arrest the remaining people involved.
Source: CNA
