Mules and Motorcycles: Smuggling Routes on the Lebanon-Syria Border

A report by An-Nahar addressed continuing smuggling on the Lebanon-Syria border, where mules and donkeys are used to transport goods across rugged mountain paths and motorcycles to smuggle people. It said the reported $5,000 price for a mule is exaggerated and unconfirmed, and that the Lebanese Army seized 200 kg of C4 carried on a donkey two weeks ago. Al-Qaa mayor Bashir Matar was cited as saying that smuggling a person by motorcycle costs between $50 and $100, with daily entries and exits that may reach hundreds of people.