According to official figures, Captagon, a little-known upper, creates three times more trade for Syria’s regime than the Mexican cartels combinedCaptagon, a little-known upper, creates three times more trade for Syria’s regime than the Mexican cartels combined, according to official figures.
You’ve probably never heard of it.
But a highly-addictive, amphetamine-like drug called Captagon has swept through the Middle East.
The UK government estimates 80% of it is produced in Syria, generating “approximately three times the combined trade of the Mexican cartels” for Assad’s regime.
But how did this come to be? And what even is Captagon?
A wide variety of people across the Middle East use Captagon, which can be sold in pill or powder form.
Students take it for productivity; taxi, lorry drivers, and even soldiers use the drug to stay up and perform in their jobs, while those facing food insecurity seek out Captagon to stave off meals, explains Caroline Rose, Director of the New Lines Institute.
It is reportedly fuelling the Gulf’s party scene, thanks to its euphoria-inducing qualities – all without the stigma of other drugs like heroin or cocaine.
Read the full article and more at EuroNews.
