Syrian, Iraqi authorities seize 400,000 pills in joint anti-smuggling operation Photo

Syrian authorities, in coordination with Iraqi counterparts, have foiled an attempt to smuggle a large shipment of narcotics abroad during a security operation in central Syria, the Syrian Interior Ministry said on February 18.

According to the ministry, the operation was carried out in Homs province by Syria’s Narcotics Directorate in cooperation with Iraq’s General Directorate for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control. Two individuals were arrested on suspicion of managing an international drug trafficking network operating across borders, Caliber.Az reports per SANA. 

Officials said approximately 400,000 Captagon pills, weighing around 65 kilograms, were seized during the raid. The pills had reportedly been prepared for export as part of the smuggling attempt.

Captagon, an amphetamine-type stimulant, has been widely trafficked across the Middle East in recent years, with Syria frequently cited as a key production and transit hub.

The latest operation follows a similar joint effort on February 5, when Syrian and Iraqi authorities targeted an international trafficking network. That operation resulted in the seizure of about 300,000 Captagon pills and the arrest of two internationally wanted suspects, according to the statement.

No further details were provided about the suspects’ identities or the intended destination of the seized drugs.

By Sabina Mammadli