Hama Police nab notorious drug gang
HAMA, Syria (North Press) – Security forces in the city of Masyaf, west of Hama, arrested a group accused of drug trafficking and use during a coordinated operation on Sunday, according to a statement from Syria’s Ministry of Interior.
The arrest followed what the ministry described as a “precise security operation” carried out by patrols from the Masyaf Police Department. Authorities seized a quantity of narcotics along with firearms and various types of ammunition believed to be in possession of the suspects.
Brigadier General Maher Mar’i, Deputy Commander of Internal Security for Police Affairs in Hama, confirmed the details of the seizure, stating that the suspects were apprehended with clear evidence linking them to illicit drug activity. The seized items included both narcotic substances and light weaponry.
The Interior Ministry emphasized that the operation was part of continued efforts to curb crime and maintain public safety in Hama Governorate. It framed the action within a broader strategy aimed at enhancing stability and addressing the rising concerns related to illegal drug networks in central Syria.
Drug-related crimes, including trafficking and manufacturing, have proliferated in various parts of Syria over recent years, coinciding with worsening economic conditions and a fragmented security landscape. Both state and non-state actors are often implicated, though accountability remains limited in areas outside structured governance.
The suspects in Sunday’s operation were transferred to the judiciary for further investigation and prosecution.
This incident underscores the persistent security challenges in central Syria and reflects broader regional efforts—both in government-held areas and AANES-administered territories—to counter organized crime.