Lebanese Food Influencer ‘Dr Food’ Arrested After Life Sentence for Drug Trafficking

What happened

The Guardian Lebanon reports that Georges Dib, a Lebanese social media food influencer known as Dr Food with 8.7 million TikTok followers, was arrested on Sunday in Akkar, north Lebanon, after being sentenced in absentia last month to life imprisonment with hard labour for international drug trafficking and production.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. Lebanese authorities accuse Dib of hiding narcotics inside branded chocolates and biscuits intended for export, connecting the case to a 2024 drug bust where 820kg of hashish was found concealed in cakes. Despite a warrant issued for his arrest, Dib evaded capture for a year and a half while continuing to post TikTok videos, including one appealing to displaced people from the Israel-Hezbollah war about delivering food.

A Lebanese security source told The Guardian that Dib’s frequent live videos inadvertently assisted authorities in tracking him, as he often changed cars, phones, and residences shortly after posting content. His arrest comes amid increased government efforts to tighten drug controls at Beirut’s airport and port, responding to pressure from the Arab Gulf states—key markets for Middle Eastern narcotics—and the US.

Known from the source

• Georges Dib (Dr Food) had 8.7m TikTok followers.
• He was arrested in Akkar, north Lebanon.
• He was sentenced in absentia last month to life imprisonment with hard labour for drug trafficking.
• Authorities allege narcotics were hidden in his branded chocolates and biscuits.
• A 2024 drug bust found 820kg of hashish concealed in cakes.

What remains unclear

Lebanon has a long history as a drug-smuggling hub, with porous borders and militia influence exploited by narco-gangs transporting hashish and captagon. Notably, after Syria’s civil war ended in 2024, the production and trafficking routes of amphetamines shifted more towards Lebanon, with shipments destined for Jordan and Gulf countries. This case reflects broader dynamics of narcotics trade affecting Lebanon’s security landscape.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Confirm the arrest details including location and date. Verify the life sentence ruling and its timing. Confirm whether drugs were definitively found in Dib’s food products or if this remains alleged.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: The Guardian Lebanon. Open the source.