Tel Aviv, Oct 24

Israeli security forces said that they have thwarted an attempt to smuggle drugs and weapons from Lebanon into the Jewish state's territory.

Troops on patrol observed suspects carrying bags from Lebanon into Israel at midnight between Friday and Saturday in Metula, a northern city near the countries' border, Xinhua news agency quoted the military as saying in a statement.

Soldiers and police officers were dispatched to the scene and confiscated two pistols and 21 bags containing nine kg of drugs worth approximately 350,000 new shekels ($109,171), the military added.

The Israel Defense Forces are investigating if the smuggling attempt was linked to Lebanon's Hezbollah group, according to the statement.

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