The new Syrian authorities carried out a large-scale drug incineration today, burning approximately one million Captagon pills, an industrially produced amphetamine linked to the reign of Bashar al-Assad, security officials told AFP.
“We discovered a massive quantity of Captagon, around one million pills,” said Osama, a member of the security forces who spoke with AFP under anonymity, his face covered, and wearing the uniform of the “Public Security Administration.”
A Narco-State Legacy
Under Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Captagon production turned Syria into a narco-state, flooding markets across the Middle East, neighboring Iraq, and Gulf nations. Originally developed as a medication for conditions like narcolepsy and ADHD, Captagon became a tool for profit, fueling a multibillion-dollar illegal drug trade.
In recent days, armed Islamic coalition groups uncovered hundreds of bags filled with Captagon pills in abandoned airplane hangars and former military bases.
Destruction of the Drugs
The destruction took place in Damascus’ Kafar Sousse neighborhood, within the former “security sector.”
“Security forces of the new Syrian government discovered the drug stash during inspections of the security sector,” explained Hamza, another member of the security forces.
Alcohol, cannabis, Captagon pills, and packs of hashish were destroyed to “protect Syrian society” and to “cut off smuggling routes previously exploited by the Assad family businesses,” Hamza added, highlighting the industrial-scale drug trade tied to the former regime.
Ongoing Operations
This is not an isolated effort. Security forces have uncovered and destroyed additional drug stashes and production facilities elsewhere in the country, according to the authorities.
An AFP investigation previously revealed that Captagon transformed Syria into a narco-state with an illegal drug industry valued at over $10 billion annually.
