49 bodies left on Mexico highway; official

Forty-nine decapitated and mutilated bodies were found Sunday dumped on a highway connecting the northern Mexican metropolis of Monterrey to the U.S. border in what appears to be the latest blow in an escalating war of intimidation among drug gangs.
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Saudi recalls ambassador, shuts embassy in Egypt

Saudi Arabia said on Saturday it had recalled its ambassador from Egypt for “consultation” and would close its embassy and consulates in the Arab nation.

State news agency SPA said the reason behind the diplomatic move was “unjustified protests” in Egypt and attempts to storm the Saudi embassy and consulates which “threatened the safety of its employees”. (more…)

Lebanese sentenced to 7 years for smuggling drugs to Dubai

A visitor will spend seven years behind bars and pay a hefty fine of Dh50,000 for smuggling and possessing five kilograms of amphetamine capsules that he intended to deliver to another man.

The Dubai Court of First Instance convicted the 34-year-old Lebanese visitor, W.A., of smuggling and possessing amphetamine for distribution. (more…)

US concerned over Hezbollah, Iran link to drug cartels

When Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced her concerns on Wednesday over intelligence reports that Latin American drug cartels are closely linked with Hezbollah and Iran, many within the U.S. law enforcement community were grateful that Obama Administration officials were finally acknowledging what cops already knew. (more…)

Drug Control forces attacked in Beqaa valley

An armed gang attacked security force members who were attempting to raze cannabis fields in the Bekaa Valley in east Lebanon on Monday, National News Agency (NNA) reported.

The drug Hashish, which is popular in Lebanon and the Mid East region is prepared from cannabis (more…)

U.S. envoy: US Treasury not targeting Lebanese banks

U.S. Ambassador Connelly met with the board of directors of the Association of Bankers in Lebanon, reassuring the ABL that the action taken by the U.S. Treasury against the Lebanese Canadian Bank was “not targeted against the Lebanese banking sector.” (more…)

Lebanese PlayStation and drug traffickers extradited to U.S.

Paraguay extradited three Lebanese men to the United States on Thursday – two on drug trafficking charges and another who faces trial in Philadelphia for allegedly selling stolen cell phones, Sony PlayStations and used cars to raise funds for extremist activities in Lebanon. (more…)

U.S. targets Lebanese-based drug, money laundering network

The U.S. Treasury Department said on Wednesday it was targeting a Lebanon-based drug trafficking and money laundering network suspected of doing as much as $200 million a month in business. (more…)

Syria confiscates drugs smuggled from Lebanon

Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported on Monday that the Syrian authorities confiscated around 2 million illegal drug pills, which were smuggled into the country across the Lebanese borders.

The drugs were set to be smuggled to other Arab countries. SANA reported (more…)

Israeli soldier among arrested ‘Hezbollah spies’

Israel has arrested a soldier and several civilians suspected of spying for Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and smuggling drugs. (more…)