9 million narcotic tablets were seized in a shipment of oranges at the port of Beirut

The Lebanese authorities seized nine million Captagon tablets in a shipment of oranges at the port of Beirut, thwarting an attempt to smuggle them to the Arabian Gulf.

Media outlets reported that the Lebanese authorities seized nine million Captagon tablets in an orange shipment at the port of Beirut on Wednesday, thwarting an attempt to smuggle it to the Gulf.

Captagon, a mixture of amphetamines, is one of the most popular drugs among wealthy young men in the Middle East.

"We would like to convey a message to the Arab world about our seriousness and our work to prevent evil from our Arab brothers," Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi said while inspecting the shipment in Beirut.

In October, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain expelled Lebanese diplomats and recalled their ambassadors from Beirut, following criticism from resigned Minister of Information George Kordahi about the war in Yemen.

Riyadh also banned all imports from Lebanon, and the UAE withdrew its envoys as well.

During their meeting this month, the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council called on Lebanon to tighten border controls and take measures to deter drug smugglers through exports to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.

Dubai Police said last week that it had seized about $15.8 million worth of Captagon tablets hidden in a lemon shipment, and arrested four suspects.

Nine million Captagon pills hidden in a shipment of oranges were seized at the port of Beirut (Anwar Amro/AFP)