Lebanese authorities have seized 46.7 kilogrammes of cocaine from a Syrian passenger who arrived at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport from Accra, Ghana.

The seizure, described as the largest drug bust in the airport’s history, was carried out on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by Lebanese Customs in collaboration with the General Security Directorate.

According to a report by L’Orient Today, the drugs were found in the passenger’s luggage after he arrived aboard Middle East Airlines flight MEA 576 from Accra.

The passenger, identified only by his initials, B.H., was reportedly found with 40 packages of cocaine concealed using sophisticated packaging and insulation materials designed to evade airport scanning equipment.

Lebanon seizes largest drug shipment in Beirut airport history

Electronic tracking devices were also discovered inside the packages, according to a statement from the General Directorate of Customs.

Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect had entered Lebanon through the Masnaa border crossing several weeks earlier before travelling to Accra and returning with the consignment.

Authorities suspect he was assigned to transport and deliver the drugs as part of an organised smuggling operation.

The passenger has been arrested, while investigations are ongoing to identify the intended recipient of the shipment.

Following the seizure, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam congratulated the General Security Directorate and Customs authorities for foiling the smuggling attempt.

Salam also praised the coordination, cooperation and intelligence-sharing between the two agencies, which contributed to the operation.

He stressed that Lebanon’s land, sea and air border crossings would not be allowed to serve as routes for drug trafficking, money laundering or other illegal activities.

Salam also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening border controls, improving coordination among security agencies and combating organised smuggling networks.

The latest seizure follows other major drug interceptions at Lebanon’s borders.

In August this year, the Internal Security Forces announced the arrest of a Lebanese man who arrived from Brazil at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport with 4.9 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in the bottoms of two suitcases.

A month earlier, Lebanese Customs seized 3.5 tonnes of narcotics at the Port of Beirut. The shipment was reportedly destined for an African country, although authorities did not disclose the intended destination.

Meanwhile, Lebanese authorities have pledged to prevent Beirut’s airport and seaport from being used as transit points for drug smuggling and have been working with other countries to exchange intelligence to intercept illicit shipments.

With additional files from L’Orient Today