Synthetic Stimulant that Earned Billions for the Assad Regime in Syria

Synthetic Stimulant that Earned Billions for the Assad Regime in Syria

The swift collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, following a rebel-led offensive that captured Damascus, saw President Bashar Assad fleeing to Russia. While various factors contributed to this rapid downfall, many analysts point to the regime’s weakening external support from Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah. Additionally, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referenced the death of Hezbollah’s leader as a critical moment. But there’s another key factor: Captagon, a synthetic amphetamine, which has played a significant role in the region’s drug trade and the regime’s financial stability.

The Role of Captagon in Assad’s Regime

Captagon, a powerful stimulant known by its brand name fenethylline, is immensely popular in the Middle East. It has become Syria’s most significant export, generating an estimated $10 billion annually, with about $2.4 billion directly benefiting the Assad regime. According to experts, this illicit trade helped prop up the regime, making it a major financial lifeline amid international sanctions. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported that Syria and Lebanon continue to dominate the global Captagon market, with record seizures noted in 2021.

Cultural Appeal and Widespread Use

Captagon’s popularity in the Middle East stems from its stimulant effects, such as suppressing hunger and prolonging wakefulness. It is widely used by a range of individuals, from taxi drivers and university students to fighters and wealthy elites seeking weight loss. In many Muslim countries where alcohol is prohibited, Captagon fills a void, often being perceived as a safer alternative to other recreational drugs like cocaine or ecstasy.

Syria’s Role in the Captagon Trade

As the world’s leading producer of Captagon, Syria has been the epicenter of this narcotic economy. The regime’s security forces, including Assad’s brother and the Fourth Armored Division, have been implicated in overseeing the trade. Some experts argue that Syria’s growing dependency on the drug trade marked its transformation into a “narco-state,” a situation exacerbated by international sanctions and the regime’s desperate need for revenue.

The Impact on Regional Relations

The proliferation of Captagon across neighboring countries, such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia, became a significant point of contention. These countries, which had been attempting to normalize relations with Assad, grew frustrated with the flood of drugs across their borders. Assad reportedly used the Captagon trade as leverage in negotiations, demanding payment from Gulf states in exchange for reducing the flow of pills. However, this strategy backfired, with Gulf states unwilling to be coerced into agreements, ultimately weakening Assad’s position.

Assad’s Control of the Trade: A Question of Power

One pressing question is whether Assad truly controlled the Captagon trade, or if the trade controlled him. The massive revenue generated by the drug trade could have undermined Assad’s leadership, fostering corruption and deepening instability. With the regime’s downfall, questions about who will control this lucrative market in the future remain.

A Post-Assad Future?

The future of Syria’s Captagon trade is uncertain. After the fall of Assad, the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has pledged to eliminate the drug, but it remains unclear whether they can control such a powerful and entrenched trade. Experts express hope that, in time, Syria can pivot toward a more normalized economy, free from the influence of the Captagon cartel. However, given the financial stakes involved, it remains to be seen how the country’s drug economy will evolve in the post-Assad era.