Army Seizes Drugs in N. Bekaa, Clashes with Fugitives in Brital

The army on Wednesday confiscated a quantity of narcotics and two stolen cars in two Bekaa towns.

“A Lebanese Army force raided the town of Jabbouleh in northern Bekaa, seizing a quantity of drugs and contraband material from the residence of A. Gh.,” state-run National News Agency reported.

The force also cracked down on fugitives wanted for car theft in the town of Brital, seizing a black Mercedes and an SUV.

The raid involved an exchange of gunfire with the wanted men, according to NNA.

Several citizens have said in recent months that their stolen cars -- some of which were used in bomb attacks – were sold by Brital-based individuals to Syrian citizens who would then take the vehicles into Syria.

Earlier on Wednesday, al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Assem Araji told Radio Orient that “whenever a bombing happens in Lebanon, all eyes turn to (the Bekaa border town of) Arsal and the nearby areas.”

“That's why security agencies must perform their duties and unveil the destination of the cars that are being stolen,” Araji said, noting that “the cars that are being stolen are being sent to Brital.”

Lebanon has been rocked by five deadly bombings this year, which targeted areas considered sympathetic to Hizbullah.