In line with its national responsibilities in the fight against smuggling, and in order to ensure transparency, the Lebanese Regie for Tobacco clarifies the following:
1. The Regie strongly denies any connection, whether direct or indirect, to the content of the report prepared by your investigative unit.
It states that it became aware of the report’s content through the media and that it received no formal notification or prior communication, neither from the producers nor from the relevant authorities at Rafic Hariri International Airport.
If the goal was to combat smuggling, a formal notification should have been submitted to the competent authorities, rather than merely presenting the matter through the media.
2. The “warehouses” mentioned in the report fall under the supervision of the Lebanese Customs Administration and are in no way subject to the authority or oversight of the Regie.
In accordance with legal procedures, the Customs Administration is responsible for seizing smuggled goods and subsequently handing them over to the Regie.
3. The Regie reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating smuggling through a specialized unit with a proven track record of achievements, recognized by all relevant official bodies. This unit conducts daily field operations across Lebanese territory, despite its limited manpower and resources.
4. The Regie will communicate with the relevant authorities to investigate further and take appropriate action. It has already begun initiating legal proceedings against the violators, regardless of their political affiliation.
It is worth noting that the Regie operates independently of political considerations and remains committed to applying the law to all, without exception.