How Syria and Iran promote regional instability through illegal drug trafficking

The past decade has seen a rise in drug production and trafficking in the Middle East, largely fueled by the Syrian conflict and with Iranian proxies playing an important role.

The security vacuum and the collapse of state control have made the country fertile ground for illicit trafficking; Syria and Iran have made it a central hub for drug production and distribution in the region.

Captagon, a combination of amphetamines and caffeine, plays a central role in the illicit drug trade that both countries operate. These allies appear to have strategically identified Captagon as the most potent substance to tap into markets in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other Arab states in the Persian Gulf due to its low production costs and wide availability.

As the world's leading producer of Captagon, Syria is likely using the drug trade as a major source of income for the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Smuggling operations, supported by militias linked to Iranchannel Captagon into the countries of the Persian Gulf, turning this trade into more than just an illicit economic activity – it serves as a vital financial lifeline for numerous armed groups, further fuelling violence and instability throughout the region.

Iran-aligned militant groups in Lebanon and Iraq, including Hezbollah, Kata'ib Hezbollah and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, play a significant role in Captagon smuggling and benefit from their influence over local governments. Despite concerted efforts Efforts by Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to combat the Captagon trade – which ranged from airstrikes to targeted attacks on dealers and their warehouses – have had only limited success in stemming the flow of drugs.

To address the growing challenge posed by Captagon, Arab countries may need to consider adopting new strategies, such as shifting the focus from punishment to treatment of consumers, improving law enforcement and improving information sharing among countries in the region.

The situation could also benefit from increased support and assistance from the United States. With the looming threat of Captagon being overtaken by even more destructive substances such as methamphetamine, there is a sense that efforts to combat drug trafficking need to be intensified. This could include targeting methamphetamine labs, cutting off supply chains and closing avenues that could exacerbate the drug problem.

The Rise of Captagon

Since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict in 2011, the country has experienced a sharp decline in security and a loss of government control across much of the country. This security vacuum has allowed warlords and armed groups to take over key territories and exploit them for various illegal activities. In the absence of government oversight, drug factories have rapidly proliferated throughout Syria. These facilities have become major producers of Captagon, often referred to as “poor man's cocaine,” a drug that contains amphetamines, caffeine, and theophylline.

Numerous Syria is reportedly responsible for responsible for the production of around 80% of the world's Captagon, cementing its status as the undisputed “Captagon capital”. The Syrian regime is accused of actively promoting the production and export of Captagon for economic gain, especially in the face of international sanctions, although the government continues to deny these allegations.

These factories are often operated by armed groups linked to the Syrian regime or supported by Iran, further complicating efforts to combat the Captagon trade. The drug trade has become a major source of funding for military activities in Syria, exacerbating the conflict and prolonging its duration. Captagon is mainly smuggled to Jordan and the Gulf states, where authorities are stepping up efforts to curb the trade through stricter laws and large-scale seizures. However, the impact of the Captagon trade extends far beyond Syria's borders, threatening the social and economic security of neighboring countries and the entire Gulf region.

Warlords and drug lords

Warlords in Syria are Main organizers the drug trafficking production and distribution networks. Captagon has become one of the main sources of income for these warlords, providing them with the necessary resources to continue their military and political operations.

These chiefs have built a complex network of factories and logistical routes to smuggle drugs out of Syria. Their networks include alliances with other armed groups, traffickers and external parties, making their operations extremely difficult to track and disrupt. The operations are often led by individuals with military and political influence in their areas of power.

Iran plays a crucial role in this, using the drug trade as part of a broader strategy to destabilize the region, taking advantage of weak security apparatuses and ongoing wars to expand its influence. Tehran's proxy militias use the profits from the captagon trade to finance their terrorist and military activities, further complicating the security situation in the region.

Captagon is mainly smuggled through complicated land and sea routes to countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The regular seizure of hundreds of millions of Captagon pills underscores the enormous scale of production and the high demand for this drug in the region.

The Captagon trade exacerbates violence and instability across the region and has implications that extend far beyond Syria's borders. This makes combating the Captagon trade an urgent regional security challenge that requires international cooperation and coordinated efforts among affected countries.

Target markets

Due to their high population density and robust economy, the countries bordering the Persian Gulf represent a lucrative market for drug smuggling networks – and are therefore preferred targets for illegal activities.

Iran also plays a crucial role in this context. According to international reports, Iran is a major player in smuggling networks that smuggle drugs through Iranian territory to the countries of the Persian Gulf.

In response to the increasing challenges of drug trafficking, particularly from Lebanon and Syria, Persian Gulf countries have taken a variety of measures, including import bans from these regions and stricter inspection procedures at border crossings. The creation of joint task forces to dismantle smuggling networks and prosecute offenders internationally reflects a concerted effort to address the problem. However, the escalating drug trade presents significant obstacles, with corruption, scarce resources and the complexity of smuggling routes complicating law enforcement efforts.

Despite ongoing security campaigns, the difficulty of curbing the trafficking underscores the challenges these countries face. It is clear that the focus is on improving security coordination with neighbouring states and developing comprehensive strategies to combat drug trafficking. This includes investing in modern technologies and increasing cooperation with international organisations to share intelligence. The multi-faceted approach underscores the complexity of the problem and the need for sustained, joint efforts to curb its impact.

Impact on health systems and communities

Drug trafficking, particularly the proliferation of Captagon, has a profound impact on communities in the Gulf States and Syria. Users face serious health consequences, including addiction, loss of productivity and an increase in drug-related crime. The financial burden on health systems in dealing with the consequences further exacerbates the burden on public institutions.

In view of these challenges, there is increasing recognition of the need to strengthen prevention and treatment strategies to mitigate the impact of addiction on society.