Lebanon’s General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division revealed a successful operation to intercept a drug smuggling network attempting to traffic narcotics inside food boxes to Dubai through Beirut’s airport. The authorities seized a large quantity of Captagon pills hidden in a professional manner.
Since 2011, the Gulf region has faced a surge in drug trafficking, particularly involving Captagon, a dangerous drug threatening social stability. The Syrian regime, allied with powerful interest groups, exploits Captagon as leverage against Gulf states like Saudi Arabia.
The complexity of the Captagon trade involves key military and security units in Syria, including militias and foreign armed groups, implicating high-ranking officials and influential figures. The network’s depth was exposed as the US and UK imposed sanctions on individuals linked to the Captagon trade.
Addressing the broader crisis in Syria along with targeted sanctions is crucial to dismantle the complex web of Captagon trafficking and curb drug-related crimes impacting regional geopolitics.