Lebanese army kills three top drug traffickers in Baalbek raid backed by air force

07 August 2025 , 21:34

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Lebanese army kills three top drug traffickers in Baalbek raid backed by air force

The Lebanese army killed three of the country’s “most dangerous” drug traffickers in an armed clash Wednesday in the eastern city of Baalbek, according to a military statement.

The operation, backed by the airforce, targeted suspects wanted for multiple crimes, including attacks on army posts, killing soldiers, and armed robbery.

The men were identified as Ali Monzer Zeaiter, known as “Abu Sala”—considered one of the major Captagon producers and traffickers—along with Abbas Ali Saadoun Zeaiter and Fayyad Salem Zeaiter. The army said the trio had long promoted drugs across Lebanon and that earlier attempts to arrest them had resulted in soldier casualties.

Elizabeth Baker