The Lebanese authorities have foiled an attempt to smuggle a huge quantity of drugs to Saudi Arabia.
Five Saudis, reportedly including a prince, were detained at Beirut’s airport after two tonnes of pills branded as Captagon were found in cases due to be loaded onto a private jet.
It was the largest drug smuggling operation yet uncovered at the airport.
Captagon pills, which typically contain amphetamine and caffeine, are consumed widely in the Middle East.
The drug has helped fuel the conflict in Syria, generating millions of dollars in revenue for producers inside the country as well as being used by combatants to help them keep fighting.
40 bags of Captagon pills were found by inspectors due to be put on board a jet bound for Hael, in northern Saudi Arabia.
