Lebanese food influencer sentenced to life for drug smuggling

A prominent Lebanese food influencer has received a life sentence with hard labour for his role in an international drug smuggling operation. Georges Hana Dib, who operates under the online persona Dr Food and has amassed a substantial following on social media platforms, was convicted of manufacturing, trafficking, and smuggling narcotics abroad. The case centres on a 2024 drug bust that uncovered 820 kilograms of hashish concealed within cake packaging produced in the Baalbek region of eastern Lebanon. The contraband was transported through Turkey before being distributed internationally. Judge Elie al-Helou imposed the life sentence alongside a fine of 120 million Lebanese pounds, equivalent to approximately $1,341. Dib and other Lebanese and Syrian nationals were prosecuted under Lebanon's Narcotics Law. The influencer, who is not a medical doctor despite his online moniker, is believed to be outside the country and was sentenced in absentia. As part of his conviction, he has been stripped of his civil rights. Despite the court's decision, Dib's social media accounts have continued to operate, with recent posts promoting giveaways and food-related content without acknowledging the legal proceedings. Lebanon's Bekaa Valley has long been associated with hashish cultivation, and this case reflects ongoing enforcement efforts against drug trafficking networks in the region.