Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Saturday, May 17, 2025
    961
    Instagram Facebook LinkedIn TikTok
    • Breaking News
    • Guides
    • Food & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Join the Team
    • Whatsapp
      • 961
      • 961 News
    • AUB Outdoors ☀️
    Advertise with Us Get the App
    961
    Home»Videos
    2 Mins Read

    Watch BBC Meet Lebanon’s Drug Lord In Bekaa

    By 961 StaffMarch 5, 2017Updated:May 2, 2020
    Facebook WhatsApp Copy Link

    Just over a month ago, Host of BBC Pop, Benjamin Zand, tweeted that they will be coming to Beirut and asked for suggestions for stories. Somehow, this led the team to meet Lebanon’s Drug Lord.

    .@BBCpopup is heading to Beirut and all the stories will be based on people’s suggestions. @BenjaminZand explains… https://t.co/tJb5xoC8jq

    — BBC News Press Team (@BBCNewsPR) January 26, 2017

    Apparently, many people suggested he cover the issue of hashish in Lebanon. They spoke with the drug dealer, the head of drug enforcement of the Lebanese police as well as with the “average” consumer.

    They spent time with Ali Nasri Shamas, a hashish drug lord, who they try to equate to Pablo Escobar. He claims he’s untouchable and also claims he has 17 children.

    He shows off his “toys”, which include pistols, machine guns, and RPGs – which he claims he uses against ISIS. As well as when the “Lebanese government approaches” him.

    He often contradicts himself between claiming it’s legal and not illegal, to him. As well as making claims that “90% of the politicians are bought.”

    The BBC Pop Up team then meet General Chamseddine in the basement of the police station – showing a room filled with seized drugs.

    The general claims that, since the war started in Syria, the government told him not to go after the big drug dealers since “resources are limited.”

    The team also spoke to a guy who shared his experience of getting jailed for a year and a bit for smoking hashish.

    The video is well-made along the style of Vice. However, there are a few things that make me a little uneasy about it.

    Right of the bat, they claim that “Lebanon is known around the world for its hash.” After many people claiming that Lebanon is misrepresented, they then make such claims.

    We’ve had 100s of ideas sent in so far, many saying Lebanon is misrepresented. How should it be represented? What’s the real Lebanon to you?

    — BBC Pop Up (@BBCpopup) 27 January 2017

    Another question I have: Who planned and organized the meet up with Lebanon’s “biggest drug lord” in an area that is often described as a no-go zone?

    Besides that, they did a good job covering various sides of the topic.

    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email

    For You

    This Lebanese Viral Video Proves You Can Ski And Hit The Beach On The Same Day

    A Huge Whale Was Just Seen Off The Coast In Lebanon (Video)

    Watch Lebanese, Saudi, And Argentinian Fans Dancing Dabke To A Lebanese Patriotic Song In Qatar (Video)

    A Waterspout Was Spotted On The Coast Of Batroun In Lebanon (Video)

    Videos Of Women In Their Swimsuits Kissing & Sitting On A Moving Car In Lebanon Is Causing An Uproar

    A Touching Song From The Lebanese Diaspora In Canada To Their People In Lebanon (Video)

    20 Celebrities You Probably Didn’t Know Had Lebanese Roots

    saint levant aub outdoors 2025 961

    Saint Levant Is Officially Headlining AUB Outdoors 2025!

    May 7, 2025

    Ampere Cinema Reopens Its Doors In North Lebanon After 28 Years Of Absence

    June 30, 2022

    Lebanon’s Shawarma Is Going Viral in The Philippines

    April 21, 2019
    nada koussa miss world miss lebanon 961

    Nada Koussa Just Left To Represent Lebanon At Miss World

    May 7, 2025

    20 Typical Lebanese Slang Expressions

    April 21, 2020
    Lebanese boutiques

    25 Boutiques In Lebanon To Find Your Dream Evening Dress This Wedding Season

    June 9, 2024
    dew apparel nada koussa miss lebanon 961

    Miss Lebanon Nada Koussa Just Launched A Sportswear Brand

    May 3, 2025
    arabic words

    30 Beautiful Arabic Words You Probably Want To Learn

    April 22, 2020
    visa whish money partnership

    Visa and Whish Money Just Partnered To Push Digital Payments in Lebanon and Abroad

    May 6, 2025
    961 Logo
    Facebook WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

    Popular Topics

    • Guides
    • Eat & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Lebanon News
    • Diaspora
    • Explained

    961

    • About
    • WhatsApp Channel
    • News WhatsApp Channel
    • Corrections Policy
    • Ownership & Funding

    Services

    • Advertise
    • Careers
    • App Waitlist
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    961™ | All Rights Reserved ©2025
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Okay