Lebanese authorities have made the largest cocaine seizure in the history of Beirut's airport, discovering 46.7 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden in the luggage of a Syrian passenger who flew in from Accra. The bust occurred on Saturday, November 1, 2026, when Lebanese Customs and the General Security Directorate intercepted the passenger shortly after he landed on Middle East Airlines flight MEA 576 from Accra. The passenger, identified only by his initials, B.H., has been arrested and investigations are ongoing.
The cocaine was concealed in 40 individual packages fitted with sophisticated insulation material designed to defeat airport scanning equipment. Electronic tracking devices were also found hidden inside the packages. According to preliminary findings, the suspect is believed to have entered Lebanon through the Masnaa border crossing several weeks before the seizure, before travelling to Accra and returning with the consignment. Authorities suspect he was part of an organised smuggling network.
The suspect's role in the smuggling operation is being investigated, with authorities trying to identify the person the shipment was meant for. The seizure has raised concerns over Ghana's role as a trafficking transit point. The connection to Accra has sparked questions about the level of screening at Ghana's Kotoka International Airport. It is not yet clear what role Ghanaian security or aviation authorities played in screening the passenger before his departure.
The Lebanese Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, has praised the security coordination that led to the seizure. He congratulated the General Security Directorate and Customs authorities for foiling the smuggling attempt. Salam credited the success to cooperation and intelligence-sharing between the two agencies. He reaffirmed his government's commitment to tightening border controls and working against organised smuggling networks.
This seizure is part of a string of recent interceptions at Lebanon's borders. In August, the Internal Security Forces arrested a Lebanese man who flew in from Brazil carrying 4.9 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden in suitcase linings. Customs officers also seized 3.5 tonnes of narcotics at the Port of Beirut a month earlier, a shipment reportedly bound for an African country.
Ghana's airport has repeatedly featured in international drug trafficking cases. Since March 2025, Ghanaian authorities have recorded 11 separate cases amounting to 28 busts. A $296 million methamphetamine shipment linked to Ghana was intercepted in Australia earlier in 2026. The Beirut seizure is likely to put pressure on local officials to review security protocols at Kotoka International Airport.
The investigation into the smuggling operation is ongoing, with authorities working to identify and disrupt organised smuggling networks. The cooperation between Lebanese authorities and international partners will be crucial in preventing future attempts. The success of the operation demonstrates the importance of intelligence-sharing and coordination between agencies in combating drug trafficking.
Key points
- The largest cocaine seizure in Beirut's airport history was made on a flight from Accra.
- The seizure has raised concerns over Ghana's role as a trafficking transit point.
- The suspect, a Syrian passenger, was found with 46.7kg of cocaine hidden in his luggage.
