LEBANON (Enmaeya News) – December 17, 2025

Lebanon’s General Directorate of Customs announced that the Chtaura Customs Unit carried out a series of raids that led to the seizure of large quantities of expired and adulterated food products in the Bekaa Valley, according to the National News Agency. 

Following detailed investigations, the unit raided a mill in the Bar Elias area in the presence of a representative from the Ministry of Public Health. The operation resulted in the confiscation of significant amounts of expired spices and thyme stored in violation of health and safety standards.

Investigations subsequently led to the identification of a warehouse in Taanayel, where customs officers seized approximately 1,000 bags of thyme suspected of being mixed with sawdust. The bags were found to bear counterfeit commercial trademarks.

In a separate operation, the Chtaura Customs Unit, in coordination with the Internal Security Forces’ Information Branch, raided another warehouse in Bar Elias. The facility contained large quantities of expired food products, including seeds, nuts, salted goods, and other items, as well as equipment allegedly used to falsify expiration dates.

All seized goods were confiscated, and the individuals involved were taken to the customs center for legal action, in coordination with the Ministries of Public Health and Economy and under the supervision of the Bekaa Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Separately, in Sidon, a customs patrol seized a pickup truck carrying a shipment of smuggled clothing. The goods were confiscated, and the driver was detained pending legal procedures.