📰 3 sources 4 articles · 1 Oct 2026, 11:01 → 16 days ago

State Security uncovers 35 maritime companies evading Beirut port fees and collects millions of dollars

The Port Security Office of the General Directorate of State Security uncovered the evasion by 35 maritime companies operating at Beirut port of port fees totaling about $9.5 million between 2012 and the end of 2025. Measures taken upon a referral from the Financial Public Prosecution and in coordination with the Beirut port administration led to the collection of $6.5 million, deposited into the state treasury, while the files of other companies were referred to the judiciary.

📍 Where things stand: The file remains open: $6.5 million was collected and deposited in the state treasury, and the files of other companies were referred to the judiciary to complete procedures.

⏱️ Timeline

1 Oct 2026, 11:01 The Port Security Office of the General Directorate of State Security revealed that 35 maritime companies operating at Beirut port evaded port fees totaling about $9.5 million between 2012 and the end of 2025. Measures taken upon a referral from the Financial Public Prosecution and in coordination with the Beirut port administration led to the collection of $6.5 million, deposited into the state treasury, while the files of other companies were referred to the judiciary to complete procedures.
1 Oct 2026, 11:10 Lebanon's State Security apparatus announced the uncovering of maritime companies evading payment of Beirut port fees and the recovery of $9.5 million to the state treasury.
1 Oct 2026, 16:51 Lebanon Debate reported that State Security opened the file of the unpaid millions related to the port, without the available text including additional details on the amounts owed, the parties concerned, or the measures the apparatus would take.
1 Oct 2026, 20:49 LBCI reported that the State Security Directorate achieved a "valuable catch" at the port totaling $6.5 million, without the report providing additional details on the circumstances of the operation or the party that had held the money.

Timeline written by AI from the sources below; updated as new reports arrive.

⚠️ Sources disagree

Value of the amount recovered or collected for the Lebanese state

Recovery of $9.5 million to the state treasury according to MTV Lebanon
Collection of $6.5 million deposited into the state treasury out of $9.5 million owed according to Lebanon Debate
The yield of the "valuable catch" at the port was $6.5 million according to LBCI

Figures as each outlet reported them at the time. We do not judge which is correct; numbers often change as events develop.

How the sources covered it

Lebanon Debate focused on the numerical and procedural details (the number of companies, the total amount, the time period, and the role of the Financial Public Prosecution and the port administration), while MTV Lebanon limited itself to announcing the recovery of $9.5 million to the state treasury, and LBCI described the outcome as a "valuable catch" totaling $6.5 million without details on the circumstances of the operation.

Lebanon Debate Led with precise details: 35 maritime companies evading $9.5 million in fees between 2012 and the end of 2025, the collection of $6.5 million deposited into the state treasury, and the referral of other companies' files to the judiciary, noting the referral from the Financial Public Prosecution and coordination with the Beirut port administration.
MTV Lebanon Its report was limited to announcing the uncovering of maritime companies evading port fee payments and the recovery of $9.5 million to the state treasury, referring viewers to the attached video.
LBCI Described the outcome as a "valuable catch" by State Security at the port totaling $6.5 million, and did not provide details on the circumstances of the operation or the party that had held the money.

AI comparison of what each outlet emphasized. It describes emphasis, not accuracy.

Lebanon DebateMTV LebanonLBCI

📰 All coverage

📅 2026-10-01

LBCI 20:49

A valuable catch by State Security at the port: $6.5 million

LBCI reported that State Security achieved a "valuable catch" at the port amounting to $6.5 million, without providing further details on the circumstances of the operation or who …

Lebanon Debate 16:51

Port millions left unpaid... State Security opens the file

Lebanon's State Security has opened the file of unpaid millions related to the port, according to Lebanon Debate on October 1, 2026. The available text did not include further deta…

MTV Lebanon 11:10

State Security Uncovers Maritime Companies Evading Beirut Port Fees, Recovers $9.5 Million

Lebanon's State Security announced the uncovering of maritime companies evading payment of Beirut Port fees, and the recovery of $9.5 million to the state treasury. Details in the …

Lebanon Debate 11:01

Millions Unpaid... State Security Opens the File of Port Companies

The Port Security Office at the General Directorate of State Security revealed that 35 maritime companies operating at Beirut Port evaded paying port fees totaling about $9.5 milli…