The aftermath of the Syrian regime’s collapse, after over 50 years of rule under Bashar al-Assad, has brought the nation’s captagon problem to the forefront. Abu Muhammad al-Julani, leader of the Islamist movement Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), declared in his first public appearance following the regime’s fall that Syria, under Assad, had become the world’s leading source of the drug. He vowed to cleanse the nation of this illicit trade. Al-Julani’s focus on captagon is unsurprising, given the drug’s widespread impact across the Middle East, posing a significant societal challenge for some countries while serving as a lucrative revenue stream for others.
Captagon, a highly addictive amphetamine-like substance, has been a persistent issue in Syria for years, with smuggling operations both originating from and transiting through the country. According to Aron Lund, an analyst at the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), figures within the security apparatus linked to the fallen regime were largely responsible for the captagon trade. The profits generated flowed into the regime’s networks, facilitated by a crippled economy and international sanctions that hampered legitimate trade. This exploitation of the drug trade provided a crucial financial lifeline for the Assad regime, circumventing sanctions and bolstering its ability to maintain control.
The scale of the captagon operation under the Assad regime has been a subject of debate. While opponents of Assad have often emphasized the drug trade’s significance to the regime’s finances as a means of applying pressure, the actual extent of its contribution remains uncertain. While acknowledging the substantial profits generated, Lund cautions against overstating its importance, noting that not all proceeds necessarily went directly to the regime in Damascus. Although undoubtedly a significant source of revenue, the portrayal of the captagon trade as the sole driver of the entire region’s economy is likely an exaggeration.
The recent seizure of large quantities of captagon, ready for export, by jihadist-led rebels signals a potential turning point. The rebels have pledged to destroy the seized drugs, inviting news agencies to document the stockpile. Images reveal small white pills concealed within various items, including fruits. This public display underscores the rebels’ commitment to tackling the captagon trade and distancing themselves from the practices of the former regime. The international community will be closely watching to see if these promises are kept.
The involvement of the Assad regime in the captagon trade has drawn international condemnation, with countries like the UK accusing the regime of profiting immensely from the illicit activity. The UK estimated the regime’s earnings from drug smuggling to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars, attributing 80% of the global captagon supply to Syria. Similar accusations have been levelled by the US and other nations, leading to further sanctions against the regime. Captagon itself originated in Germany in the 1960s as a treatment for hyperactive children but was soon banned due to its highly addictive nature. Its stimulant and performance-enhancing properties led to its rise as a popular recreational drug and doping agent in the Middle East in the early 2000s.
The future of captagon production and smuggling in Syria under the new leadership remains uncertain. While HTS has pledged to halt the trade, the complex political landscape presents significant challenges. The new regime has a strong incentive to demonstrate its commitment to regional stability and will likely make efforts to curb the drug trade. However, the potential for various militias to take over the former regime-linked groups’ operations, albeit on a smaller scale, poses a significant risk. HTS may face difficulties intervening against these groups if they hold political influence or are allies. The continued fragility of the Syrian state, coupled with porous borders, creates an environment conducive to smuggling, including the continued trade in captagon and other illicit goods. Although the key figures responsible for captagon export under the Assad regime may have been removed, the underlying conditions that facilitated the trade persist, making complete eradication a daunting task.
