Unknown group targets truck carrying narcotics in Syria’s south
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – An armed group called “Rebels of the Southern Region” claimed on Sunday responsibility for targeting a truck loaded with narcotics southern Syria, saying that the truck belongs to the Syrian government.
Media outlets circulated a statement claimed to belong to the group, admitting the attack.
Local sources in the area confirmed the attack and said that it took place between the towns of Tsel and Ain Dakar, in the western countryside of Daraa Governorate, southern Syria.
The driver managed to escape, but the truck was fully burned, according to the source.
The truck was coming from Qunaitra Governorate, southern Syria, and heading to Daraa, the statement added.
The truck passed through dozens of government checkpoints that did not stop it, and it is affiliated with Security Brach of the government in the town of Jabata al-Kahashab, in the countryside of Qunaitra.
During previous years, many countries around the world confiscated hundreds of drugs’ shipping coming from the Syrian government-held areas.
The Captagon manufacturing in Syria dates back to the early years of the decade-long conflict, as the Syrian government used to give the drug to its soldiers to boost their fighting mood and addict them to battles.
Several international reports, headed by the US Treasury, accuse the Syrian government and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia of running large drug trafficking networks in this border area, as well as other Syrian regions.
In April, the European Union (EU) added 25 new individuals and eight entities on the Syria sanctions list, including members of President Bashar al-Assad’s family, accusing them of drug making and trafficking.