The investigating judge in Mount Lebanon, Ziad al-Dghaydi, charged George Hanna Deeb, known on social media as "Dr. Food," with "manufacturing, trafficking and drug smuggling" following preliminary investigations, a judicial source confirmed to L’Orient Today.

The source, who wished to remain anonymous as they were not authorized to speak to the press, declined to share more information on the case as the investigation is still ongoing.

It was not clear when the charges were made.

On May 2, VDL News, citing judicial sources, reported that Dr. Food, a social media influencer who also owns a wafer brand of the same name, was accused of smuggling drugs hidden in his biscuit packaging to Turkey.

Following the news, Dr. Food denied this accusation in several X posts and called on the Lebanese state "to act immediately to stop those spreading malicious rumors against a Lebanese company that distributes its products throughout the Arab world."

Judge Dghaydi has scheduled an interrogation session with the defendant for next Monday to delve into the case's specifics and make necessary decisions. Dr. Food has yet to comment on the recent developments in this case.

Dr. Food garnered a large following on TikTok. The news of the influencer being allegedly involved in drug trafficking shook Lebanese society which is still reeling from the news of the TikTok pedophile ring, which involves nearly 30 individuals responsible for luring around 30 children through the app for sexual abuse, filming and blackmail.