Syrian Authorities Thwart Smuggling of 1.7 Million Captagon Pills in Daraa

Syrian authorities have seized 1.7 million Captagon pills in the southern province of Daraa, in one of the largest security operations.

The official SANA agency reported that the anti-drug branch in Daraa carried out raids yesterday, Sunday, in warehouses in the eastern part of the province, where large quantities of drugs prepared for smuggling out of Syria were found.

This operation comes after an official announcement last Friday of the seizure of about 3 million Captagon pills following an armed clash with a smuggling network near the Syrian-Lebanese border.

Captagon trade is one of the main sources of funding for the former Syrian regime led by Bashar al-Assad, where this stimulant substance has become one of the country's main illegal exports during the years of the war that erupted in 2011.

Despite the fall of the former regime, smuggling operations continue, as reports indicate the ongoing seizure of large quantities of Captagon inside Syria and in neighboring countries.

Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khatib confirmed earlier in June that all Captagon production facilities in the country have been raided and seized as part of a comprehensive campaign to eliminate this scourge.

According to the new Syrian authorities led by President Ahmed al-Shar'a, intensive security efforts are currently being made to stop drug smuggling and dry up its sources, but security and logistical challenges persist.