Syrian Rebels Uncover Assad's Captagon Labs, Smuggling Drops by 90%

Dec 12, 2024, 11:31 AM

Syrian rebels have uncovered substantial Captagon manufacturing labs in military bases formerly controlled by the Assad regime, revealing the extent of the regime's involvement in the illicit drug trade. Captagon, an addictive amphetamine-type stimulant, has been a significant source of revenue for the Assad regime, Hezbollah, and other allies, with estimates suggesting that Syria has become a global production center for the drug. The Assad regime, particularly Maher al-Assad, the brother of former President Bashar al-Assad, is believed to have managed the production and distribution of Captagon, which has been used to finance the regime amidst international sanctions and economic crisis. The discovery of these labs, including one at the Mezeh airbase near Damascus, highlights the regime's transformation of Syria into a 'narco-state' to sustain its economic power. The fall of Assad has led to a significant decrease in Captagon smuggling, with Jordanian and European officials reporting a 90% drop in smuggling activities.