Law enforcement authorities in Jordan have successfully thwarted the largest attempt to smuggle drugs through the kingdom in recent years. The cargo, consisting of millions of Captagon tablets, was being transported from Syria to the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf. According to Reuters, the criminals were apprehended at a checkpoint leading to Saudi Arabia.
The production of Captagon experienced significant growth between 2011 and 2013 in Syria, driven by the need for psychostimulants by belligerents in the civil war. The drug allowed soldiers to stay alert and react quickly to changing situations. Additionally, the Syrian state faced financial challenges due to the ongoing civil war and Western sanctions, making Captagon production a lucrative venture.
In 2022, revenues from Captagon exports from Syria were estimated at approximately $30 billion. The drug has become increasingly popular in the Gaza Strip and was used by terrorists in an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The involvement of Syrian and Lebanese citizens, including individuals linked to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in the production and distribution of illegal Captagon has led to international sanctions.
Overall, this interception highlights the complex network of production, distribution, and financing that contributes to global illicit substance trafficking.
