A major seizure occurred at the Iraq–Syria border when authorities in Al-Qaim stopped a truck carrying three million Captagon tablets. The operation, reported by National, highlights ongoing efforts to curb illicit drug shipments flowing through the region from neighboring territories.
Captagon, an amphetamine-type stimulant, has earned a notorious nickname in some circles as a “jihad drug” due to its popularity among militant groups in parts of the Middle East. Investigators noted that the tablets were hidden inside boxes of apples and transported in a refrigerated vehicle, a tactic aimed at concealing the shipment from casual inspection.
The publication describes Al-Qaim as a stronghold for Iranian-backed Iraqi militias that also exercise control over Albu Kamal on the Syrian side of the border. These groups are alleged to use the border area as a logistics corridor for storing and moving weapons, which underscores the wider security dimension of the incident beyond the drug trade itself.
The report also points to a broader regional trend: Syria has emerged as a significant hub for illicit synthetic drug production. As Captagon abuse grows in the region, law enforcement agencies continue to intensify efforts to disrupt networks involved in manufacturing, trafficking, and distribution.
Earlier, in June 2022, Iraqi security forces engaged a different smuggling operation when a light aircraft carrying one million Captagon tablets was brought down over Iraqi airspace. The Federal Intelligence Service had been alerted to the impending shipment and opened fire as soon as the plane crossed into the country, signaling a long-running campaign to intercept high-volume drug transports before they reach urban centers and cross-border routes.
The combination of border security measures, military influence in key towns, and ongoing anti-narcotics operations illustrates the multifaceted challenge posed by illicit drug networks in the region. Authorities continue to pursue leads, monitor trafficking routes, and collaborate with international partners to cut off supply chains that extend from production centers to consumer markets across the Middle East and beyond.