Shipments of the illegal and addictive amphetamine Captagon, one of the Middle East’s most dangerous illegal narcotics, is often concealed in everyday items in a way that belies the drug’s malign impact. An enormous haul of 1.1 million Captagon pills recently uncovered in Iraq – the country’s biggest – was hidden among a shipment of ironing boards inside a lorry that entered from Syria through Turkey.
The shipment's Syrian origin should come as no surprise. Captagon has been manufactured there for years, earning its makers hefty profits as it became one of the more popular recreational drugs among affluent youth in the Middle East and beyond. At one stage, independent experts cited by the UK government estimated the Captagon trade was worth several billion dollars – an amount that vastly outstripped Syria’s legal exports under the Bashar Al Assad government.
Although that government has fallen, the problem of Captagon remains, particularly as gangs continue to benefit from its trade. Syria’s interim administration is led by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, a militant group that has a record of cracking down on the drug’s production and distribution. During HTS forces’ advance from its Idlib stronghold in December, fighters were filmed uncovering and destroying drug labs and stores of Captagon tablets. Prior to its removal of the Assad government, HTS took action to disrupt Captagon smugglers in the areas under its control.
Indeed, just hours after HTS took power in Syria, its leader – now Syria's President – Ahmad Al Shara told supporters inside Damascus’s Umayyad Mosque that the country “has become the biggest producer of Captagon on Earth, and today, Syria is going to be purified by the grace of God". However, it will take more than security crackdowns to eliminate the Captagon trade for good.
Finding and dismantling Captagon labs, big and small, will take time and resources that the new administration needs for other problems, such as keeping a lid on Syria’s sectarian tensions. Disrupting the trade could also antagonise those lower down the ladder who lack another way of making a living in a country with a ruined economy. In practical terms, a security response alone is not enough to uproot Captagon from Syria.
Providing real alternatives to illegal enterprises and restoring Syria’s economy are at the heart of the nation’s recovery
Instead, economic incentives and greater access to jobs are vital. One option put forward by some experts would be to restore the country’s pre-war role as the Middle East’s primary producer of medicines. Repurposing labs to produce pharmaceuticals and re-hiring technicians and workers would offer incentives to leave the dangerous and unpredictable black market behind. Such a plan would require finance, investment and more sanctions relief than seen thus far – for example, producers would need access to chemicals and equipment.
But if providing real alternatives to illegal enterprises and restoring Syria’s economy are at the heart of the nation’s recovery, then support for such innovative thinking could produce a blueprint for broader answers to the country’s many problems, not just ending the Captagon trade. Law enforcement co-operation, improved policing and arresting drug kingpins are all important strategies for banishing the scourge of Captagon, but offering people a better, legal way to support themselves and their families would undercut the drug’s networks for producers and traders.
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FIXTURES
Monday, January 28
Iran v Japan, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Tuesday, January 29
UAEv Qatar, Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium (6pm)
Friday, February 1
Final, Zayed Sports City Stadium (6pm)
LAST-16 FIXTURES
Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
More coverage from the Future Forum
More from Neighbourhood Watch
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV
Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 60kWh battery
Transmission: Single-speed Electronic Precision Shift
Power: 204hp
Torque: 360Nm
Range: 520km (claimed)
Fixtures:
Wed Aug 29 – Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore
Thu Aug 30 - UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman
Sat Sep 1 - UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal
Sun Sep 2 – Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore
Tue Sep 4 - Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu Sep 6 – Final
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
About Tenderd
Started: May 2018
Founder: Arjun Mohan
Based: Dubai
Size: 23 employees
Funding: Raised $5.8m in a seed fund round in December 2018. Backers include Y Combinator, Beco Capital, Venturesouq, Paul Graham, Peter Thiel, Paul Buchheit, Justin Mateen, Matt Mickiewicz, SOMA, Dynamo and Global Founders Capital
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
SPECS
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Scores in brief:
Day 1
New Zealand (1st innings) 153 all out (66.3 overs) - Williamson 63, Nicholls 28, Yasir 3-54, Haris 2-11, Abbas 2-13, Hasan 2-38
Pakistan (1st innings) 59-2 (23 overs)
Start times
5.55am: Wheelchair Marathon Elites
6am: Marathon Elites
7am: Marathon Masses
9am: 10Km Road Race
11am: 4Km Fun Run
More on Palestine-Israeli relations
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Background: Chemical Weapons
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Fringe@Four Line-up
October 1 - Phil Nichol (stand-up comedy)
October 29 - Mandy Knight (stand-up comedy)
November 5 - Sinatra Raw (Fringe theatre)
November 8 - Imah Dumagay & Sundeep Fernandes (stand-up comedy)
November 13 - Gordon Southern (stand-up comedy)
November 22 - In Loyal Company (Fringe theatre)
November 29 - Peter Searles (comedy / theatre)
December 5 - Sinatra’s Christmas Under The Stars (music / dinner show)
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
