The Lebanese Tobacco and Tombacs Regie (Regie) announced that its Anti-Smuggling Unit seized quantities of smuggled electronic cigarettes, smuggled and counterfeit molasses tobacco (maassel), smuggled cigarettes, and counterfeit cigars during raids conducted in Hay El Sellom and the Radouf area in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
In recent days, the unit had also seized similar smuggled and counterfeit tobacco products in Chtaura, Bednayel, and Tamnine El Faouqa in the Bekaa, as well as Btalloun and Bqaatta in Chouf.
Regie reiterated that these raids are part of its ongoing efforts to combat smuggled and counterfeit tobacco products, noting that violation reports were issued against the offenders and referred to the competent judicial authorities.
Regie also renewed its call for citizens to cooperate in combating this phenomenon, which harms consumers and the public treasury, by reporting any products suspected of being smuggled or counterfeit, or locations believed to be used for their storage, through its hotline 1722, reinforcing the principle that “Every Citizen Is a Guardian.”