Following a tip that large quantities of cannabis were about to be smuggled out of the country, in March, Lebanese police struck eight trucks on their way to Beirut's port.

Hidden in bags of soil lay a total of 25 tons of hash, which would have been smuggled into a country in Africa - which country does not reveal the police. According to Reuters, work is still ongoing on finding and prosecuting all those responsible.

Lebanon is the world's third largest exporter of cannabis after Morocco and Afghanistan, according to the UN. Since the civil war between 1975 and 1990, cannabis has been one of the most important sources of income in the country's eastern parts, AFP reports. It is therefore not uncommon for the police to seize large quantities of drugs on their way out of the country.

May legalize cannabis cultivation

The country, which is in an economic crisis and recently suspended all its payments, has in recent years considered legalizing cannabis for medical and industrial use. A law permitting the cultivation of the plant is expected to be adopted after the country's parliament opens - it has been closed because of the corona virus.

By legalizing a large black market, the government hopes to be able to withdraw about a billion dollars annually. However, it should also continue to be illegal to manufacture hashish, reports the US website al-monitor.