**Lebanese Food Influencer Sentenced to Life for Drug Smuggling**
**Beirut, Lebanon** – Georges Hanna Dib, a well-known Lebanese food influencer popularly known as Dr Food, has been sentenced to life in prison with hard labour for his involvement in drug smuggling activities. The verdict was delivered by Judge Elie al-Helou, who also imposed a fine of 120 million Lebanese pounds (approximately $1,341) on Dib.
The case against Dib, who has gained significant fame on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where he boasts over five million followers, centers around the smuggling of hashish. Reports indicate that the drugs were concealed within cake packaging produced in Baalbek, a region in eastern Lebanon known for its agricultural production. The hashish was then transported to Turkey before being shipped internationally.
Dib, along with several other Lebanese and Syrian nationals, was charged under Lebanon’s Narcotics Law, which addresses the manufacturing and trafficking of illegal drugs. The sentencing follows a significant drug bust in 2024, during which authorities seized 820 kilograms (1,800 pounds) of hashish hidden in the aforementioned cake packaging.
Notably, Dib was not present in court during the sentencing, as he is believed to be outside of Lebanon. Consequently, he, along with others sentenced in absentia, has been stripped of his civil rights. This is not the first time Dib has faced legal troubles; in February of the previous year, he was recommended for a life sentence when an investigative judge in Mount Lebanon charged him with “manufacturing, trafficking, and smuggling drugs abroad.”
Despite the serious nature of the charges and the subsequent sentencing, Dr Food has maintained a presence on social media. His Instagram account, which has not addressed the court case or the sentencing, recently shared a promotional giveaway related to his food product brand. In a separate TikTok initiative, followers were encouraged to engage with his content for a chance to win $100, highlighting his continued focus on food-related promotions.
In a recent Instagram video, Dib was seen filming himself in his car, although he did not comment on the court’s decision. His last story, posted on March 27, featured him interacting with displaced Lebanese individuals, asking them about their favorite foods and ordering meals from popular local restaurants.
Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, where the hashish was reportedly produced, has a longstanding reputation for drug cultivation. The region has been a focal point for law enforcement efforts against drug trafficking. Last November, another high-profile case involved the arrest of Noah Zaiter, a 48-year-old drug trafficker who was dubbed the "Lebanese Pablo Escobar." Zaiter received a four-month prison sentence in February for his drug-related activities.
As the legal proceedings surrounding Dr Food continue to unfold, his case raises questions about the intersection of social media influence and illicit activities, as well as the broader implications for Lebanon's ongoing struggles with drug production and trafficking.