Drug Abuse

Dubai's $1 billion Captagon bust ranks as one of world’s biggest

Sales of the highly addictive stimulant continue to fund the Syrian government, despite regional efforts to break up smuggling rings.

Jordan downs drone carrying drugs from Syria in 9th incident this year

The incident is the ninth this year as Jordan battles increasing drug smuggling attempts from neighboring Syria.

In Europe's cannabis market, Morocco faces stiff competition from Israel

US outlines strategy to counter Syria's lucrative Captagon trade

The report to lawmakers details US plans to support the counter-narcotics capacity of Syria's neighbors and impose sanctions on the key drug traffickers fueling the regime's operations.

Lebanon seizes Captagon shipment bound for central Africa, Gulf

Lebanon's latest bust comes as US sanctions and other measures work to counter trafficking in the country.

Why are Golan Heights Druze protesting Israel's wind turbines project?

The state-backed project has ignited strong objections by the Druze in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, who fear for their health and for their rural way of life.

Oman seizes 6 million pills in Captagon bust with Saudi Arabia

A video shared by the Royal Oman Police shows agents unloading what appears to be white cardboard boxes filled with bags of Captagon tablets encased in moss-colored bricks.

US readies strategy to target Syria’s Captagon trade

In the coming weeks, the Biden administration will submit to Congress an interagency plan to tackle the Syrian regime's multi-billion-dollar drug business.

Saudi Arabia seizes 8 million Captagon pills as it courts Syria's Assad to clamp down

The kingdom and Jordan both want Syria to help stop the flourishing drug trade as they seek normalization with the Assad government.

Saudi Arabia seizes 5 million Captagon pills in latest bust

A Saudi raid is the latest in a series of drug busts that has seen nearly weekly arrests inby the country for transporting, selling and promoting drug use since March.