Joint Security Force in Bekaa Arrests Syrians, Confiscates Illegal Items

The joint security force detained on Wednesday 11 Syrian nationals as it continued its crackdown on outlaws in the Bekaa Valley.

The state-run National News Agency reported that the residencies of the 11 Syrians, who are residing in the Bekaa town of Taybeh, have expired.

The force also seized seven violating cars and pickup tucks.

The detained people and confiscated items were transferred to Sheikh Abdullah barracks in Baalbek.

A Syrian encampment was raided in the area of Talia and several wanted suspects were arrested.

Several cars were seized in the village of Bodai.

Checkpoints were also erected at the entrance of Sharawneh neighborhood in the city of Baalbek.

The army later issued a communique saying that 19 Syrians were detained in raids in the villages of Baalebk, Hosh Tall Safiye and al-Taybeh for illegally entering Lebanon, and seized three cars that had no proper registration papers.

The statement added that the house of a wanted suspect in the town of Marj was raided, where four fugitives were detained. The army seized in their possession four rifles, ammunition and military equipment.

The detainees and the confiscated items were handed over to the competent authorities.

On Tuesday, the army also detained several Syrians for illegally entering Lebanon and two Lebanese who were wanted for shooting offenses. The joint force also impounded drugs, illegal cars, military equipment and light ammunition.

The plan seeks to clamp down on criminals in the Bekaa where certain areas, such as the town of Brital, are known to be a safe haven for car-theft gangs and drug dealers, as well as networks that kidnap people in return for ransom.

The army had launched a crackdown on suspects and fugitives in the northern city of Tripoli and several other areas in an attempt to halt security chaos across the country.

H.K.

G.K.