Syrian Regime Launches Campaign to Dismantle Assad-Era Captagon Drug Empire
On June 26, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Syria under President Ahmad Al-Sharaa announced new measures to combat the flourishing drug industry that thrived under former President Bashar al-Assad. The new Syrian regime launched official social media accounts for the "Anti-Drug Administration," a government body under the Interior Ministry, aiming to institutionalize the fight against drugs and protect society's future. The launch included a promotional video titled "Captagon, The Fall of the Shadow Empire," highlighting how the drug empire was managed and dismantled, though authorities acknowledge the network is not yet fully eradicated.
Since opening these accounts, the administration has shared educational content, reports on drug seizures, and personal stories illustrating the social damage caused by drugs. One video featured a grieving Syrian mother whose daughter died after consuming pills found at home, warning of the silent social crisis surrounding drug abuse. The administration also published contact information for reporting drug dealers.
Syria reported cooperation with neighboring countries including Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Lebanon, and Kuwait to combat drug trafficking. This regional collaboration is crucial as many of these countries have suffered from the spillover effects of the Captagon trade, especially Jordan, which frequently intercepts smuggling attempts and recently conducted airstrikes inside Syria to disrupt drug routes.
On the same day, Syria held a major event to launch the "National Campaign Against Drugs and Addiction Treatment," attended by President Al-Sharaa, ministers, ambassadors, provincial governors, and security officials. Al-Sharaa emphasized the national importance of combating drugs, acknowledging Syria’s heavy legacy of drug production under the previous regime and calling for regional and global partnerships to address this cross-border threat. Interior Minister Anas Hassan Khattab reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to a drug-free future and described the fight as a national, moral, and international duty.
Under Bashar al-Assad, the Captagon industry, largely led by his brother Maher al-Assad with support from the Iran-backed Shiite axis, generated billions annually and was Syria’s top export sector. Since Assad’s fall on December 8, 2024, and Al-Sharaa’s rise to power, Syria has sought to erase this stain and present itself as a functioning state. The timing of these initiatives on the international anti-drug day reflects a structured plan to rehabilitate Syria’s image. Captagon remains the Middle East’s largest stimulant market, known as the "poor man’s cocaine," and is widely used among affluent Arab youth.