The Lebanese Internal Security Forces foiled an operation to illegally transport Syrians from Lebanon to Cyprus, arresting ten Syrians who were staying at a residence in the Al-Aboudiya area. According to a statement from the authorities, released by the Lebanese Armed Forces, two individuals had been tasked with organizing their transport by sea, for $5,000 per person.
The case came to light following information gathered by specialized units of the Intelligence Branch, as reported. Lebanese authorities stepped up surveillance in order to identify those involved and prevent their departure as soon as possible, before their planned sea transport could take place.
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Investigations led to the discovery of the room where the Syrians were staying while awaiting the transfer operation. The premises belonged to a Syrian national, born in 1986, whom the statement identifies by the initials M.M. Both M.M. and the nine Syrians were arrested.
During questioning, the detainees admitted that a Lebanese national and a Syrian national were arranging their illegal transport. They also reported that the two smugglers had collected $5,000 from each of them as payment for the trip.
The Public Relations Directorate of the Internal Security Forces described the operation as part of an ongoing effort to combat illegal immigration from the northern Lebanese coast to Europeancountries using unsafe vessels.
The detainees were handed over to the competent authority after the prescribed legal procedures were followed, in accordance with the instructions of the competent judicial authority. Investigations are ongoing to locate and arrest the remaining individuals involved.
Source: CNA
