Syria seizes 11 million Captagon pills smuggled from Lebanon

 

Syria’s Interior Ministry has announced the seizure of approximately 11 million Captagon stimulant pills smuggled into the country from neighboring Lebanon, marking one of the largest drug busts since the fall of former ruler Bashar al-Assad.

In a statement, the ministry revealed that “the anti-narcotics branch in Homs province intercepted a vehicle arriving from Lebanon carrying around 11 million Captagon tablets.” Authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible and dismantle the criminal networks connected to the operation.

Captagon, an amphetamine-type stimulant known for its addictive properties, became one of Syria’s most profitable exports during the civil war that erupted in 2011, serving as a crucial source of revenue for Assad’s regime. Since his ouster in December, the new authorities have reported several major seizures of the drug. However, neighboring countries continue to intercept large quantities originating from Syria and Lebanon.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah — a longtime ally of the former Syrian government — has also faced repeated accusations of using the Captagon trade to fund its activities. In September, the Lebanese army confiscated 64 million pills in eastern Lebanon, marking one of the country’s largest anti-narcotics operations.

Despite recent crackdowns, the synthetic drug trade continues to thrive across the Middle East, prompting renewed calls from regional governments for Syria and Lebanon to intensify joint efforts to dismantle the powerful networks driving its production and smuggling.