A video circulating on social media this week shows a warehouse in Syria filled with Captagon. This highly addictive amphetamine-based drug has transformed the country into a narco-state under the rule of former President Bashar al-Assad. The alleged warehouse, reportedly located at a military division headquarters near Damascus under the command of Assad's brother Maher, highlights the scale of Captagon production in Syria.

"Crossing the Syrian border means paying fees to everyone – customs, the army, political security, and especially the Fourth Division," the smuggler told bnm IntelliNews.

"The Fourth Division is untouchable; they control everything and can move through checkpoints like they don't exist. Without them, Captagon smuggling wouldn't happen on this scale."

This elite unit, led by Maher al-Assad, is accused of controlling smuggling operations, including the Captagon trade. It enjoys extensive privileges that allow it to pass through checkpoints with minimal resistance, making it the most influential player in the drug trade.

A former Syrian officer stated that during the war the Fourth Division became a major smuggling route, with officers and soldiers exploiting their influence to smuggle drugs, weapons and goods to extremist elements.

In one instance, authorities in Idlib seized a large shipment containing hundreds of thousands of Captagon pills hidden in a truck from the regime-controlled town of Nubl in northern Aleppo. Over the past two years, Idlib authorities have confiscated more than 3mn Captagon pills.

Maher al-Assad, Bashar's brother, is believed to have orchestrated the promotion of Captagon inside Syria, aiming to generate profits to sustain a regime beset by sanctions and a deteriorating economy. With an average salary of $15 per month, many young people are drawn into working with drug dealers. Smugglers can earn between $10,000 and $14,000 per successful border crossing, though the risks can be fatal. A report by the BBC highlighted the tragic death of a child from the Ramthan clan – killed while smuggling drugs – underscoring the exploitation of children in these operations.

At a US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Syrian regime crimes in April 2023, it was stated that the drug trade is being used as a strategic tool by the Syrian regime to destabilise neighbouring countries, particularly Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The Fourth Division, led by Maher al-Assad, is the key player behind the trafficking, which generates resources for the regime and weakens its neighbours.

Reports confirm that most of the Captagon comes from regime-controlled areas, where the Fourth Division oversees production and distribution. No smuggler can operate without strong ties to the regime, and civilians, including women and children, are often used to transport the drugs. In opposition-held Idlib, drug shipments are smuggled through border crossings, sometimes hidden in refrigerated trucks.

Several Captagon factories are reported to be operating in regime-controlled areas, exporting their products to neighbouring countries such as the Gulf states and Turkey, as well as to Europe and Africa via the port of Latakia. These operations are believed to be overseen by the Fourth Division in collaboration with influential figures from the Assad family. The Captagon trade is viewed as both an economic and political tool to sustain the regime and destabilise its neighbours. Idlib is not only used as a transit hub for drugs, but its local youth are increasingly at risk from this growing epidemic. The export of Captagon to Gulf countries, Europe, and Africa highlights the far-reaching impact of the trade.

"Party-drug" shaping regional tensions

Described as the "poor man's cocaine," Captagon is a cheap, highly addictive stimulant often linked to violent and psychotic behaviour. Its trade has exploded in recent years, with annual market value estimates running into the billions. Captagon's production has provided an economic lifeline to the Assad regime amidst crippling sanctions imposed by the US and its allies.

In 2022, the US Treasury sanctioned several individuals linked to the Assad regime for their role in facilitating the Captagon trade. 

Those sanctioned included two of Assad's cousins and Khalid Qaddour, a close associate of Maher al-Assad, described as a "key producer and facilitator" in the drug's production.

Hezbollah and cross-border trafficking

The trafficking network extends beyond Syria. Jordanian officials have reported a significant increase in drug smuggling across their border, with many shipments being linked to Hezbollah, the Lebanese group heavily involved in facilitating Syria's drug trade. These operations are closely coordinated with Syria's Fourth Division.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has identified Syria and Lebanon as major departure points for Captagon shipments, with Saudi Arabia accounting for two-thirds of global seizures. Between 2014 and 2022, Saudi authorities confiscated 700mn Captagon pills smuggled from Lebanon.

Despite the devastating social impact, efforts to address the Captagon crisis have been slow. In 2023, the Biden administration introduced a strategy to combat the trade, focusing on Syria's production and Hezbollah's involvement. However, critics argue that international responses have been inadequate in countering the scale of the trade.

Captagon's expanding reach

Beyond the Gulf, Captagon's influence is spreading, with reports of its presence in North Africa, Europe and Southeast Asia. Its rise underscores the persistent instability in Syria, where both the humanitarian crisis and the emboldened drug trade remain by-products of the regime's survival tactics.

Syria's Captagon industry represents more than a criminal enterprise – it was a cornerstone of the Assad regime's economic and political strategy. Without decisive international action, the drug trade will continue to destabilise the region and pose a growing threat to global security.

In the first five months of 2023, authorities across the Middle East seized over 100mn Captagon pills, the most widely abused drug in the region, particularly among young people. Captagon, originally developed in the 1960s as a legal treatment for conditions such as ADHD, depression and narcolepsy, was withdrawn from the market in the 1980s due to harmful side-effects.

The rising prevalence of Captagon raises serious questions about the effectiveness of regional and international counter-narcotics strategies. This issue is not only about security but also has devastating health and social consequences. Despite official claims from the Syrian government that it is combating drug trafficking, evidence on the ground points to the involvement of powerful factions within the country.

Captagon highlights deep-seated corruption

In a notable case, a truck carrying two tonnes of hashish and 3mn Captagon pills was involved in a traffic accident en route to Tartus. The vehicle had no licence plates, a sign that it was likely connected to security forces or the military. Syrian sources identified the drivers as two brothers from Qardaha, the Assad family's stronghold. One was reported to work for state security, while the other allegedly had direct ties to the ruling family. This incident underscores the role of influential figures in facilitating smuggling operations without interference from security forces.

The issue is deeply rooted in extensive smuggling networks operating across the Lebanese-Syrian border. Lebanese authorities have uncovered large-scale operations to traffic Captagon into Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Investigations revealed the involvement of prominent drug traffickers working in coordination with armed groups and militias linked to the Syrian regime and Hezbollah.

These networks often store Captagon in remote locations before distributing it via an extensive smuggling infrastructure. While initial investigations faced significant challenges due to political interference, recent evidence has highlighted Hezbollah's role in facilitating drug trafficking within its areas of influence. There is also evidence of cooperation between criminal networks and the Syrian government, with drugs being transported across borders using unofficial routes shielded by regime support.

How Captagon broke Lebanon

Captagon has become a major revenue source for various militias and armed groups, including Hezbollah. Profits from the drug trade have funded these groups' activities in Lebanon and Syria, prolonging the Syrian civil war and contributing to Lebanon's internal conflicts.

The trade has also bolstered the political influence of these groups within Lebanon and neighbouring countries, including Iraq. International pressure has mounted on Lebanon and Syria, with sanctions imposed on individuals involved in drug trafficking, including figures within the Syrian regime.

In Lebanon, Captagon poses a serious threat to internal security. Smuggling networks operate in areas such as the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah's influence is strongest. This has made it difficult for Lebanese authorities to dismantle these operations.

Reports indicate that drugs are cultivated and processed in Lebanese territories before being smuggled across borders. In response to the growing international threat, the Lebanese government has implemented stricter anti-narcotics laws and enhanced cooperation with international security agencies. However, political and security challenges within Lebanon limit the effectiveness of these measures.