This trade, which generated profits estimated at more than $10 billion per year, was central to financing the Assad regime and its allies. The symbolic destruction of 100 million pills and 15 tons of hashish by the new Syrian forces marks a break with this past. But these stocks, intended for foreign markets, are a reminder that the threat goes far beyond Syria’s borders.
Conflict in Syria – Syria: deadly fighting between security forces and armed men
Europe in the sights of traffickers
With increased repression in the Gulf, once the main market for captagon, traffickers are looking for new outlets. Europe, with its well-established consumer networks and its sometimes permeable borders, is becoming a preferred target. European intelligence services are concerned about a scenario similar to that observed in Türkiye and Iraq: countries initially used as transit zones becoming destination markets.
Two senior European officials, on condition of anonymity, were interviewed by the American media Bloomberg. They fear that captagon flows to Europe will increase considerably.
-In Syria, a difficult return to devastated former rebel strongholds
A drug with devastating effects
Captagon, nicknamed the “poor man’s cocaine”, is appreciated for its low cost and its powerful effects: euphoria, feelings of invincibility, and increased energy. These characteristics make it a particularly dangerous drug, promoting rapid dependence and risky behavior. If it spreads in Europe, its effects could worsen already existing crises in fragile communities.
