The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government has sent shockwaves through the illicit drug trade in Syria, particularly the highly addictive amphetamine-like pill known as Captagon. Once a major export for the regime, Captagon was accused of propping up state finances and becoming a “narco-state” due to its lucrative profits.
HTS, a new opposition alliance, has taken control of smuggling routes and production facilities, vowing to crack down on industrial-scale production and encourage Syrians to participate in the formal economy. However, experts warn that it’s unlikely the Captagon trade will disappear completely, as traffickers will seek out new transit and production sites with low risks.
The “balloon effect” suggests that authorities suppressing one area of the trade forces it elsewhere. Clandestine factories have already been uncovered in Sudan and Germany, with potential new hubs emerging in Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Kuwait, and even some EU countries. Methamphetamine production is also becoming a concern, particularly from Iran and Afghanistan.
Maher al-Assad, Bashar’s brother and commander of the Fourth Division, has been identified as a key player in the Captagon trade, profiting from smuggling operations. The new administration’s strategy aims to target low-scale production and cross-border trafficking while discouraging Syrians from participating in the illicit economy.
Despite these efforts, it remains unclear whether Syria will be able to fully eradicate its Captagon trade, or if the demand for the highly addictive substance will continue to fuel a resilient black market.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/12/18/what-will-happen-to-al-assads-captagon-empire-now