The fall of Bashar Assad’s regime has exposed expansive drug trafficking operations in Syria, particularly captagon production, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS). Large quantities of captagon, found concealed in electrical components, signify deep-rooted corruption linked to military leaders. HTS aims to eradicate these narcotics to protect the population, stressing the harmful impact of such drugs on society and nature.
In light of the recent fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria, the alarming scope of its illegal drug trade, particularly the production and distribution of captagon, has come to the forefront. Islamist-led forces, particularly the Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), have uncovered significant drug trafficking operations linked to the regime’s military apparatus, especially under the command of Maher Assad. Recent discoveries include a large stash of captagon hidden within electrical components, destined for export, notably from a warehouse in Damascus’s outskirts.
During their operations, HTS has found not only those pills but also numerous household voltage stabilizers filled with captagon tablets, indicating a sophisticated smuggling network. Abu Malek Al-Shami, a black-masked militant, emphasized the extent of the operation linked to Maher Assad, who is regarded as a major figure in the captagon trade. This illicit drug market has allowed the regime to sustain itself financially amid a prolonged civil conflict.
In a series of operations at various military sites, including the Mazzeh air base, HTS fighters have destroyed considerable quantities of captagon, revealing the scale of the drug’s infiltration into military and government facilities. The ongoing conflict has effectively transformed Syria into a paramount narco-state, where captagon has surpassed all other legal exports, according to insights from investigations carried out in 2022.
Despite the enormous profits linked to this drug trade, HTS has determined to eliminate such harmful substances with hopes of curbing their negative impact on their populace and environment. The implications of this drug byproduct not only highlight the regime’s desperation but also the challenges the new governing body faces in re-establishing both social order and international reputation post-regime collapse.
The Syrian civil war, ongoing since 2011, has resulted in rampant instability within the region, providing fertile ground for the rise of drug manufacturing and trafficking operations. Captagon, an amphetamine-type stimulant, has become synonymous with this illicit activity, with Syria emerging as a leading producer on a global scale. The collapse of Assad’s regime has unveiled unprecedented levels of drug production, which had previously been a concealed yet crucial aspect of the regime’s survival, enabling the military and government to finance their operations amidst international sanctions and economic distress.
The revelations of the extensive captagon trade following Assad’s regime collapse highlight the pervasive role of drug trafficking in sustaining governmental power in Syria. With HTS’s commitment to dismantling this extensive network, the future of Syria’s drug market remains uncertain. This situation not only places the health of Syrian citizens at risk but poses broader regional challenges as the country seeks to navigate the complexities of governance in the aftermath of prolonged civil strife.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
