Two Nigerians were arrested in Beirut, Lebanon, in July for allegedly smuggling 156 cocaine capsules weighing around three kilograms and valued at over $500,000.
According to Lebanese news outlet *L’Orient Today*, the suspects reportedly ingested the drugs before being caught inside a hotel in Kesrouan district, north of Beirut. The arrests were carried out by Lebanon’s Central Bureau for Drug Control, which had been investigating an international syndicate trafficking cocaine from Nigeria to Lebanon via Ethiopia.
Officials said the suspects were caught “in the act” after being closely monitored. The Internal Security Forces confirmed the seizure of 156 capsules of pure cocaine, estimating their value at over half a million dollars.
This operation followed a previous arrest on May 22 at the Beirut airport, where another man was caught attempting to smuggle drugs hidden in his luggage and swallowed in capsule form.
Journalists notes that arrests involving Nigerians abroad for crimes such as drug trafficking, scams, and human trafficking have been increasing. In July, Ghanaian authorities also apprehended about 50 Nigerians for alleged cyberfraud and trafficking during a raid in Accra, including the landlord of the building where they were found.
