Unveiling Syria’s Captagon Trade Amidst Regime Collapse

Recent military advances by Islamist-led HTS forces have revealed vast quantities of captagon production linked to Bashar Assad’s regime. Findings, including significant drug caches in warehouse settings, indicate a widespread narcotics trade that has funded government operations during the Syrian civil war. HTS aims to eradicate this trade, pledging to halt its harmful effects on society and neighboring areas.

The ongoing collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria has exposed significant details regarding the extensive illicit drug trade, particularly the production and export of captagon, an illegal amphetamine. Following a successful military campaign by Islamist-led fighters from Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), a substantial cache of captagon pills was discovered at a warehouse near Damascus. These findings highlight the connection between Assad’s regime and the narcotics trade, which has thrived over the course of Syria’s thirteen-year civil conflict.

Within the warehouse, HTS fighters, guided by black-masked insurgent Abu Malek Al-Shami, uncovered drugs hidden within electrical equipment. Allegedly, this factory is linked to Maher Assad, the deposed leader’s brother, who is implicated in the management of this profitable captagon distribution network. Additionally, Amer Khiti, a sanctioned Syrian businessman accused of facilitating drug smuggling, was identified as a significant partner in this enterprise.

The volume of captagon confiscated was staggering, with thousands of pills found artfully concealed within apparatus intended for export. HTS fighters declared that these drugs were destined for sale both locally and abroad, pointing to a thriving underground market. Previously, captagon production served as a financial backbone for Assad’s government, transforming Syria into a major narco-state, where the drug trade outpaced all legal exports combined.

Further investigations by AFP revealed additional captagon stashes at military sites associated with units loyal to Maher Assad. One notable instance at Mazzeh air base showcased HTS fighters incinerating seized captagon pills, stating their commitment to prevent harm to both people and the environment. As HTS establishes a transitional governance model, they have vowed to eradicate the drug trade in a region long burdened by the consequences of narcotics proliferation.

Ultimately, the revelations about the intricacies of captagon production and distribution serve not merely as a reflection of the Assad regime’s failings but also as a testament to the wider implications of drug trafficking on Syrian society and neighboring countries.

The context surrounding the rise of captagon use and production in Syria can be traced back to the onset of the Syrian civil war. The conflict has devastated the country’s economy, leading to the emergence of illegal drug trade as a source of revenue for various factions. The Assad government’s reliance on income generated from captagon has transformed Syria into a prominent supplier of the drug, creating a landscape where illicit markets flourish amidst war. As rival factions vie for control of territory, drug production facilities have become a primary target and focal point of conflict, reflecting ongoing struggles for power within the region.

The alarming escalation of captagon production in Syria, especially under the Assad regime’s oversight, underscores the complexities of the drug trade in conflict zones. The recent discoveries by HTS fighters persistently paint a grim picture of crackdowns against a deeply entrenched narcotics industry. With the ongoing efforts of HTS to dismantle these enterprises, the fate of captagon trafficking in Syria remains uncertain, bearing implications not only for Syrian society but also for international relations in the region.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com