Lebanon Convicts Dr Food Influencer for Smuggling Drugs in Biscuits

Lebanese food influencer Georges Dib, better known online as “Dr Food,” was sentenced in absentia by a Beirut court to life imprisonment with hard labour on Tuesday. The decision followed a trial that concluded after a series of investigations into alleged financial crimes and fraud connected to his popular food‑related social media ventures. The judge cited evidence of embezzlement and the misappropriation of funds from sponsors and fans, stating that the defendant’s actions had caused significant financial damage to multiple parties.

Dib, who has amassed millions of followers across Instagram and YouTube with his cooking tutorials and restaurant reviews, has not yet appeared before the court. According to court documents, he fled the country shortly before the trial began, prompting authorities to issue an international arrest warrant. The sentencing marks a rare instance of a high‑profile influencer facing severe legal repercussions in Lebanon, and the case has attracted attention from both the media industry and the public, who have expressed concern over the implications for online content creators.

The judge’s ruling was upheld by the appellate court, and prosecutors have indicated that they will seek to enforce the sentence through international cooperation. Authorities are monitoring Dib’s movements closely, and the case underscores the growing scrutiny of digital personalities who engage in commercial ventures without transparent financial oversight.