Captagon crisis persists after Assad’s ouster, threatens Gulf security

A new report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) confirms that the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in early December 2024 has introduced significant uncertainty surrounding the future of Captagon trafficking, a multi-billion-dollar illicit drug trade rooted in Syria.

The Assad government had long been accused of facilitating Captagon production and trafficking, effectively turning war-torn Syria into a regional hub for synthetic amphetamines. Captagon, originally developed as a medical treatment for conditions such as narcolepsy and ADHD, has become one of the most widely trafficked narcotics in the Middle East, particularly popular in Gulf countries, reports Al-Jarida daily.

Following Assad’s ouster, the newly established Syrian authorities discovered large stockpiles of Captagon in former military bases and government-controlled facilities; seized several production sites, including clandestine factories previously protected by regime-linked networks.

Despite these efforts, the UNODC report notes that the drug supplies remain largely unaffected, suggesting that previously manufactured and stockpiled supplies are still being distributed; production may have resumed or persisted in other regions not under full government control.

The report indicates that Captagon continues to flood markets in the Arabian Peninsula, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf countries — key destinations for the drug.

This highlights the resilience of trafficking networks, many of which may operate independently of state structures or through corrupt officials.

The regional security threat posed by drug flows, particularly in post-conflict scenarios with fragile institutions.

In addition to Captagon, the UNODC report highlights a global surge in cocaine production and consumption in 2023, driven by organized crime groups exploiting instability and economic hardship; rising demand across Europe, Latin America, and even Africa.

The report paints a troubling picture of the expanding global narcotics trade, especially in countries facing political upheaval, armed conflict, and weak border control.

The fall of the Assad regime marks a turning point for Syria and the regional drug trade, but uncertainty prevails.

While authorities have taken steps to dismantle production hubs, the enduring presence of drug stockpiles and trafficking networks means the Captagon crisis is far from over.

With Gulf nations still targeted and criminal organizations adapting rapidly, regional cooperation and strong institutional reform in Syria will be essential to curbing this dangerous industry.