News summary produced by Claude AI
A prominent Lebanese food influencer operating under the pseudonym Dr Food has received a life sentence with hard labour for drug smuggling activities. Judge Elie al-Helou handed down the sentence, which also included a fine of 120 million Lebanese pounds (approximately $1,341). The influencer and other defendants, both Lebanese and Syrian nationals, were prosecuted under Lebanon’s Narcotics Law.
The case originated from a drug bust that occurred in 2024, during which authorities discovered 820 kilograms of hashish concealed within cake packaging. The contraband was reportedly manufactured in Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, then transported through Turkiye before being distributed internationally. Investigators had recommended the life sentence in February following formal charges of manufacturing, trafficking, and smuggling drugs abroad.
The influencer, whose account boasts more than five million followers on TikTok, was charged despite his nickname suggesting medical credentials he does not possess. Authorities indicate he is currently out of the country. Those sentenced in absentia, including the influencer, have been stripped of their civil rights as part of the legal proceedings.
Recent social media activity from the influencer’s accounts has made no public reference to the sentencing or court proceedings. Instead, his social media pages have continued promoting giveaways and product offerings from his food brand, with engagement metrics reaching into the hundreds of thousands of views. The case reflects ongoing concerns within Lebanon regarding the Bekaa Valley’s prominent role in hashish production and international drug trafficking networks.