Syrian Authorities Foil Major Captagon Smuggling Operation Bound for Turkey
By Kardo Roj
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Syrian authorities announced Friday that a significant narcotics smuggling attempt was thwarted near the border with Turkey, resulting in the seizure of millions of Captagon pills and the arrest of multiple individuals allegedly involved in the transnational operation.
According to Syria’s Ministry of Interior, six individuals were detained in northern Syria following a joint operation based on intelligence-sharing between Syrian and Turkish counterparts. The operation culminated in the seizure of approximately five million Captagon tablets, a powerful amphetamine often linked to the region’s illicit trade networks.
The official Syrian state news agency SANA cited Abdullah Arab, head of the Anti-Narcotics Division in Aleppo, who confirmed that the smuggling ring was attempting to transfer a large cache of narcotics across the northern frontier into Turkish territory.
In a parallel move, Turkish security forces reportedly arrested five suspects and confiscated an additional four million Captagon tablets on the other side of the border. Authorities from both countries stated that those apprehended would be referred to the judiciary to face legal proceedings.
While the Syrian Ministry of Interior framed the incident as an example of bilateral cooperation, analysts note that such joint operations remain rare due to the broader geopolitical rift between Damascus and Ankara, particularly given Turkey’s military presence in northern Syria and its backing of factions in conflict with the Syrian government.
The smuggling route from central and southern Syria toward Turkish and Gulf markets has become increasingly prominent in recent years. Captagon, in particular, has emerged as a major illicit export, generating billions of dollars for trafficking networks operating across state lines and conflict zones.
Northeast Syria, governed by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), has similarly confronted growing threats linked to narcotics trafficking and cross-border criminal activity. Though not directly involved in this recent operation, the region’s security forces—the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)—have previously launched targeted campaigns to dismantle drug trafficking cells operating within and across its territories.
The SDF has often positioned itself as a key force in combating organized crime and terrorism, emphasizing the link between trafficking networks and other destabilizing elements, including extremist groups and war economy actors.