Expired Foodstuffs Seized in al-Basatin, Depot Owner Held

The Internal Security Forces on Monday raided a storehouse containing spoiled foodstuffs in the Mount Lebanon town of al-Basatin.

“The Intelligence Bureau obtained information about the presence of expired foodstuffs in the depot of a store in the town of al-Basatin,” the ISF's Directorate General said in a statement.

“On Sep. 13, 2013, following authorization from the relevant judicial authorities, a unit from the aforementioned bureau, backed by a patrol from Qabrshmoul's police station, raided the storehouse, which contained a large quantity of spoiled foodstuffs,” it added.

Security forces also found a machine for printing new production and expiry dates on the products, the statement said, adding that the foodstuffs would then be distributed to other stores.

“The depot's owner, Lebanese national M. N., 29, was arrested and the machine and 26 expired products were confiscated,” the ISF went on to say, noting that the foodstuffs contained items such as oil, olive, spaghetti, pickles, jam, vinegar and rice.

“Investigations are underway under the supervision of the relevant judicial authorities,” the ISF added.