The Syrian Ministry of Interior announced yesterday, January 19, that security forces seized a massive shipment of Captagon pills intended for export through the port of Latakia, marking a significant breakthrough in the government’s ongoing crackdown on narcotics smuggling networks.
According to the ministry’s statement, the anti-narcotics operation uncovered warehouses near the port containing approximately 100 million Captagon pills, which were hidden inside children’s toys and home furniture. The Interior Ministry confirmed that the shipments were prepared for smuggling to several Arab and Western countries, posing a serious threat to public health and security.
During an exclusive interview with Levant 24 (L24), a ministry representative revealed that the seized drug caches were linked to fugitive criminal Maher al-Assad, a key figure connected to the remnants of the ousted regime. “Our patrols searched and investigated until we were able, thanks to God, to seize several warehouses containing large quantities of narcotics,” the representative stated, emphasizing that operations remain ongoing to apprehend those responsible.
Security forces uncovered specialized storage warehouses across Latakia province and other coastal areas, where the narcotics were stored and prepared for distribution. Authorities noted the advanced concealment methods used by traffickers to avoid detection, further complicating law enforcement efforts. “The areas targeted by the security campaign,” the Ministry told L24, “are on the Syrian coast in general and Lattakia in particular.”
The anti-narcotics campaign comes amid heightened regional concerns over Syria’s role in the production and trafficking of Captagon, a potent amphetamine that has flooded markets in the Middle East and beyond. Officials stressed their commitment to combating the drug trade, calling for increased community cooperation and vigilance in reporting suspicious activities.
“The Ministry of Interior is determined to continue its efforts to combat drugs and dry up their sources,” the statement added.
This latest seizure highlights Syria’s ongoing struggle against organized drug smuggling networks and underscores the need for intensified international cooperation to curb the illegal trade that threatens regional stability.
