Drug Abuse

Gulf Pulse | Mar 15, 2023

Saudi Arabia seizes 4.6 million amphetamine pills in bathroom shipment

A Jordanian national was apprehended in Jeddah while receiving the amphetamine shipment hidden in ceramic toilets, sinks and washbasins.

United Arab Emirates | Feb 28, 2023

UAE busts 4.5 million Captagon pills in food cans after smuggler arrest

Amphetamine fenethylline, known by its brand name Captagon, has increasingly become the drug of choice among youth in Gulf Arab states.

Officers of the Directorate of Narcotics Control of the Interior Ministry sort through tablets of Captagon seized during a special operation and presented before AFP afterward, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, March 1, 2022.

Lebanon Pulse | Feb 17, 2023

Three Lebanese soldiers killed in Bekaa drug raid

Lebanon plays a big role in the Captagon trade, though authorities are trying to crack down on drugs.

A Lebanese security official holds a handful of confiscated captagon pills in his palm at the judicial police headquarters in the city of Zahle in Lebanon's central Bekaa valley on July 21, 2022. (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey Pulse | Jan 29, 2023

Why are foreign mobsters, drug gangs attracted to Turkey?

A wave of foreign mobster violence in Turkey has raised alarm that the country has become a safe haven for criminal kingpins from the region and beyond.

Turkish anti riot police officers patrol around the Sultan Ahmet Mosque during snowfall, Istanbul, Turkey, Jan. 8, 2017.

Palestine Pulse | Nov 14, 2022

Smugglers find new ways to bring drugs into Gaza

Smugglers in the Gaza Strip are using new and unconventional methods to bring in narcotics hidden inside various goods, as local authorities struggle to stop them amid lack of equipment due to the Israeli siege.

A member of the Hamas security forces sets fire to a pile of confiscated bars of hashish and analgesic pills.

Palestine Pulse | Nov 3, 2022

Palestinians blame Israel for Gaza drug trade

Gaza is experiencing a surge in illegal drug trafficking, addiction and crime.

Palestinian authorities confiscate illegal drugs in Gaza.

Syria Pulse | Sep 8, 2022

Narcotic sales on rise in Syria

Syrians are trying to escape deteriorating economic conditions and security pressures from government forces in the regime-controlled areas by resorting to tranquilizers and sedatives.

People shop at a pharmacy on February 16, 2019, in Hajin, Syria.

Turkey Pulse | Jun 1, 2022

Traffickers use refugees to smuggle drugs from Iran to Turkey

There are growing claims and indications that refugees illegally crossing the Iranian-Turkish border, the route of an exodus from Afghanistan to the West, are forced to smuggle drugs by their traffickers.

A Turkish Special Forces Police officer is seen standing watch during a press tour at a border outpost in front of a section of the new Iran - Turkey border wall on Sept. 27, 2021 in Caldiran, Turkey.

Iraq Pulse | Apr 30, 2022

Iraqi soldiers killed in desert operation as drug busts surge

Massive amounts of drugs are being smuggled across Iraqi borders while a large anti-terrorism operation including Iran-linked forces and US-led coalition support continues.

Saudi Arabia | Apr 22, 2022

Another Captagon bust in Saudi Arabia as drug war continues

The discovery of more than 3 million pills of the drug in Dammam on the Persian Gulf is at least the fourth bust in Saudi Arabia this year.

Officers of the Directorate of Narcotics Control of Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry sort through tablets of captagon.

Join hundreds of Middle East professionals with Al-Monitor PRO.

Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. Try it for free and cancel anytime.

Already a Member? Sign in

Individual
Corporate/Campus

Free

The Middle East's Best Newsletters

Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.
Delivered straight to your inbox.

Free

Subscribe for free

What's included:

Our Expertise

Free newsletters available:

The Takeaway & Week in Review
Middle East Minute (AM)
Daily Briefing (PM)
Business & Tech Briefing
Security Briefing
Gulf Briefing
Israel Briefing
Palestine Briefing
Turkey Briefing
Iraq Briefing

Expert

Premium Membership

Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region.

$25.00 / month
billed annually

Go annual and save 20%

Start with 1-week free trial

What's included:

Our Expertise AI-driven

Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics.

Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts.

Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs.

Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates.

Text Alerts - Be the first to get breaking news, exclusives, and PRO content.

All premium Industry Newsletters - Monitor the Middle East's most important industries. Prioritize your target industries for weekly review:

Capital Markets & Private Equity
Venture Capital & Startups
Green Energy
Supply Chain
Sustainable Development
Leading Edge Technology
Oil & Gas
Real Estate & Construction
Banking

We also offer team plans. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team.