What is Captagon? Can Syria’s interim government stop its production and trade?

President Bashar al-Assad’s collapse in Syria continues to unveil layers of atrocities committed under his administration, one of which is the exploitation of Captagon, a highly addictive stimulant nicknamed the “poor man’s cocaine”, that kept the regime alive. Captagon is widely consumed and fuels underground economies across the Middle East.

President Bashar is believed to have made billions of dollars from the production and export of Captagon to circumvent international sanctions. Following his ouster, Damascus’s new rulers are bent on taking decisive actions against the Captagon trade and returning Syria to global commerce. This audacious bid, however, faces significant constraints amid severe economic downturns and corrupt practices across the state.

Decoding Captagon

Captagon is an amphetamine-type stimulant that was originally manufactured in Germany in 1961 as a treatment for attention deficit disorder, narcolepsy; a chronic neurological disorder where the brain struggles to regulate sleep and wakefulness, and depression. The original chemical profile of Captagon contained fenethylline, a synthetic drug that the human body metabolises into amphetamine and theophylline.

Captagon was used for recreational purposes in Europe for more than two decades. However, its addictive properties were found to outdo its benefits and was phased out as a pharmaceutical product in the 1980s. Captagon was declared a controlled substance in the US in 1981, and because of its side effects, which include derealisation, hallucinations, and a decrease in pain perception, it became contraband in most countries but enjoyed popularity in other parts of the world.

Epicentre

Despite its ban, counterfeit and newer versions of Captagon flooded markets in the Middle East, where they remain in high demand today. These versions are made with combinations of substances like methamphetamine, caffeine, and ephedrine, making them even more potent and dangerous. The unique properties of the drug are said to increase alertness, boost concentration, and enhance physical performance.

Captagon is consumed in pill, powder, or liquid forms, with pills being the most popular due to their low production costs. This ease of manufacturing has enabled its use in sustaining criminal enterprises and fuelling conflicts across the Middle East.

Web

Captagon’s production spans multiple countries in the Middle East and has been linked to militant groups like ISIS, which reportedly used the drug to boost morale and endurance in combat. Reports also suggest that Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia, plays a significant role in Captagon’s production and trafficking, with shipments often destined for the Gulf, particularly Saudi Arabia, the world’s top consumer. For combatants, Captagon is believed to banish fear and the need for sleep. In October 2023, Israeli media reported that Hamas militants were fuelled by Captagon as they rampaged through southern Israel on October 7.

Pills that cost as little as one dollar in Lebanon can sell for up to $20 in the Gulf and other areas of the Middle East, making it a profitable venture for criminal enterprises. To evade law enforcement, pills are often concealed in rolls of paper, fruits, or other creative packaging. Under the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, Syria became the global production epicentre of Captagon; Damascus was transformed into a narco-state.

Narco-politics

Per reports, over 80 percent of the world’s Captagon production comes from Syria. The Captagon trade is estimated to be worth around $37 billion annually for Syria. This amount is reportedly three times the combined annual revenue of all Mexican drug cartels. Captagon was a financial lifeline for the regime, helping to circumvent international sanctions and sustain its grip on power. Pro-Assad forces and allied militias reportedly used Captagon profits to also finance military operations.

Maher al-Assad, Bashar’s brother, is believed to have managed much of the production and trafficking operations. For years, the Assad regime had tried to cover its complicity in the cross-border trade. However, the regime’s collapse revealed the scale of its operations. In December 2024 following Assad’s fall, millions of pills were discovered in locations such as Mazzeh Military Airport, solidifying Syria’s reputation as a narco-state.

Syria has now entered a new era, with its current leaders pledging to crack down on the Captagon trade. Undoubtedly, this bid raises significant questions and challenges for the interim government.

Crux

Captagon trade is frowned upon in the international community. State actors such as the United States and countries in the EU remain committed to its eradication. However, on the flip side, one is not oblivious to the fact that the profit margin from the Captagon trade is extremely high, explaining its attraction to dealers in the region. It’s a cross-border adventure that benefits many.

For Syria, dismantling this deeply entrenched network will require significant resources, international cooperation, and viable economic alternatives, all of which present substantial challenges and as the new government takes shape, the world watches to see how events will unfold.