Jordanian Authorities Take Down Largest Drug Smuggling Attempt in History, Reveal Syrian Regime’s Role

In recent years, Jordanian authorities have successfully thwarted the largest drug smuggling attempt in the country’s history. The cargo was en route from Syria to Arab countries in the Persian Gulf, and it is suspected that a smuggling network operating in southern Syria is connected to the Iranian regime.

The smugglers were apprehended at a checkpoint leading to Saudi Arabia, according to Reuters. Typically, detentions are made on the border with Syria, but this time the criminals were caught at a different location. The drugs, millions of Captagon tablets, were hidden in heavy construction equipment.

The production of Captagon saw significant growth between 2011 and 2013 in Syria due to the needs of belligerents in the civil war for psychostimulants. The centralized production of fenetylline, disguised as the recognizable tablet Captagon, helped alleviate the financial strain on the Syrian state caused by the conflict and Western sanctions. Sanctions were imposed on Syrian and Lebanese citizens, including relatives of Bashar al-Assad, for their involvement in the illegal production and distribution of Captagon.

In 2022, revenues from Captagon exports from Syria were estimated at approximately $30 billion. The drug has gained popularity in the Gaza Strip and has been used by terrorists in attacks on Israel. This issue highlights the ongoing challenge of drug trafficking and the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region.

The successful thwarting of this smuggling attempt highlights Jordan’s commitment to combating illegal activities and protecting its borders from illicit traffic.