Iraqi security forces have seized over one tonne of Captagon from Syria via Turkey, marking a significant operation in drug enforcement. The seizure, involving 1.1 tonnes and seven million pills, reflects ongoing trafficking concerns in the Middle East, with the majority of drugs originating from Syria. Regional cooperation, especially with Saudi Arabia, highlights efforts to combat this crisis.
On Sunday, Iraqi security forces announced the seizure of over one tonne of Captagon tablets, marking one of the largest operations in recent years. The interior ministry reported that more than 1.1 tonnes, equivalent to approximately seven million pills, were intercepted from a truck traveling from Syria through Turkey. General Moqdad Miri confirmed this operation and noted the source of the load and that it was transferred to an Iraqi vehicle at a border crossing.
This operation is particularly significant as it is the first declaration of Captagon seizure following the December ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. His regime has been accused of large-scale narcotic production during the ongoing civil conflict in the country. Furthermore, General Miri mentioned that some arrests had been made but did not provide specific details regarding the individuals detained.
The successful operation was conducted in close collaboration with security forces in the autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq and was significantly supported by crucial information from Saudi security entities. Captagon, a potent stimulant similar to amphetamines, has become Syria’s most significant global export amid the civil war that has persisted since 2011.
In recent years, Iraq and neighboring nations, especially transit countries such as Jordan and Saudi Arabia, have intensified their efforts to combat drug trafficking. The report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) highlights a concerning increase in both the trafficking and usage of Captagon across the region, with Iraq seizing an astounding record of 24 million tablets, amounting to over 4.1 tonnes, in 2023 alone.
UNDOC further revealed that a staggering 82 percent of Captagon confiscated in the Middle East between 2019 and 2023 originated from Syria, while Lebanon accounted for 17 percent of the total confiscations. These statistics underscore the urgent need for enhanced cooperation amongst countries in the Middle East to address and mitigate the repercussions of drug trafficking.
The recent seizure of over one tonne of Captagon signifies a major triumph for Iraqi security forces in their ongoing battle against drug trafficking. Coordinated efforts, with the involvement of regional allies such as Saudi Arabia and Kurdish forces, reflect a broader commitment to combat the narcotic trade stemming from Syria. The rise in Captagon trafficking underscores the importance of continued international collaboration to address this pressing issue affecting regional stability.
Original Source: anfenglishmobile.com
