London, SANA – The British Financial Times newspaper confirmed in a new report that Syria is witnessing a radical transformation, with the launch of a comprehensive campaign to dismantle the Captagon economy that flourished during the era of the former regime, in a step that establishes a new phase of the rule of law and the fight against drug networks.
A radical change in the scene after the arrival of the new leadership
The newspaper pointed out that a radical change has occurred in the Syrian scene since President Ahmad al-Sharaa assumed power, declaring that “cleansing Syria of Captagon is a national priority,” which was translated on the ground into tangible results: a decrease in production and smuggling by up to 80%, and the seizure of laboratories and warehouses that were previously fortified.
Official figures documenting the campaign
The Director of the Drug Control Department, Brigadier General Khaled Eid, revealed on June 26, on the occasion of World Drug Control Day, that the campaign began on “the first day of liberation” and focused on dismantling smuggling networks and seizing factories and warehouses.
He articulated that the competent authorities have so far seized 13 warehouses for manufacturing narcotic substances, 121 tons of raw materials used in manufacturing, 320 million Captagon pills, and 1,826 kg of hashish, in addition to various quantities of psychotropic substances.
Testimonies about involvement of former security personnel
The Financial Times reported testimonies from a number of former military personnel, stating that some members of the army and security forces during the previous era were involved in the systematic use of Captagon, as it was sometimes distributed for free, or mixed into drinks and foods before military operations.
Captagon in Syria
Over the past two decades, Syria has been known as one of the centers of Captagon production in the region, with estimates that the drug trade generated annual revenues of $5 billion for the former regime.
The production was used as a political and financial tool at home and abroad, making dismantling this system a comprehensive security, economic, and legislative effort.
Fedaa
