In December 2023, German authorities made a record-breaking seizure of hundreds of kilos of Captagon tablets, worth more than €58 million, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against the illegal drug trade in Europe. On Wednesday, the trial against four men accused of selling these tablets abroad commenced in Aachen.
The Drug of Choice in the Middle East and North Africa
Captagon, often referred to as the “poor man’s cocaine,” has surged in popularity among young adults in the Middle East and North Africa. Its use as a party drug among youth and as a performance enhancer among fighters in the Syrian conflict has become widespread.
Historical Background of Captagon
Originally manufactured in Germany in the 1960s and 1970s to treat attention deficit disorders, Captagon was banned in 1986 in most countries and removed from medical markets. Nevertheless, an illicit version of Captagon resurfaced in eastern Europe and the Middle East in the early 2000s.
Composition and Effects of Captagon
Captagon is a synthetic drug containing fenethylline, caffeine, and other stimulants. Fenethylline metabolizes into amphetamine and theophylline, producing effects similar to amphetamines, including euphoria, increased alertness, and enhanced physical and mental performance. However, heavy usage can impair cognitive function and lead to cardiovascular issues, alongside a high risk of addiction.
Illicit Production and Risks
The variability in the composition of illegally produced Captagon tablets poses significant health risks, including the potential for containing toxic chemicals. This inconsistency exacerbates the danger of its usage.
Syria’s Role in Captagon Production
Over the last decade, Syria has become the largest producer and exporter of Captagon, earning it the label of the Middle East’s narco-state. An estimated 80% of the world’s Captagon is produced in Syria, a fact highlighted by a UK government statement. Despite denials from Syrian President Bashar Assad, reports from media outlets such as the BBC have uncovered the involvement of the Syrian drug industry in all facets of Captagon production and smuggling.
Economic Importance to the Syrian Government
Captagon has emerged as a crucial economic resource for the Syrian government, particularly in the face of international sanctions. The Captagon trade was estimated to be worth $5.7 billion (€5.35 billion) in 2021, providing a significant financial influx for the regime.
Smuggling and Regional Concerns
Captagon is predominantly exported to Gulf countries and neighboring Iraq and Jordan, often concealed in shipments of grains and fruits. Hezbollah in Lebanon, a close ally of the Assad regime, is also reportedly a major producer of the drug. The drug’s prevalence has become a pressing issue for countries like Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, all of which enforce stringent anti-drug laws and severe penalties for traffickers.
Measures Against the Illegal Trade
Jordan has taken a leading role in combating the Captagon trade, with Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi announcing the seizure of over 65 million pills in the last two years. The Jordanian army has implemented a “shoot-to-kill” policy against drug smugglers along its border with Syria. Similarly, Saudi authorities seized more than 46 million pills in August 2022, hidden in a shipment of flour at the Riyadh Dry Port.
Emerging Threat in Europe
Reliable statistics on the global usage of Captagon are lacking, but concerns are mounting over its potential spread to European countries. A recent report from the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) warned that Europe might become a critical transshipment hub for Captagon destined for the Middle East. The record bust in Germany in 2023 supports this concern, with the report noting that 127 million tablets (1,773 kilograms) were seized by EU member states between 2018 and 2023. Notably, 84 million tablets were seized in Salerno, Italy, in 2020.
Production Within the EU
The EMCDDA report also highlights the production of Captagon in illegal laboratories in the Netherlands, primarily from amphetamine powder. This finding underscores the necessity for coordinated EU action to combat Captagon production within the EU and prevent it from becoming a transshipment zone for Middle Eastern Captagon.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What event in December 2023 marked a significant development in the fight against Captagon in Europe?
- a) The legalization of Captagon
- b) The seizure of hundreds of kilos of Captagon tablets in Germany
- c) The discovery of a new Captagon production technique
- d) The arrest of the Syrian President
- Answer: b) The seizure of hundreds of kilos of Captagon tablets in Germany
- Where was Captagon originally manufactured, and for what purpose?
- a) The United States, for treating depression
- b) Germany, for treating attention deficit disorders
- c) France, for recreational use
- d) China, for treating anxiety
- Answer: b) Germany, for treating attention deficit disorders
- What is the primary reason Captagon has become an economic lifeline for the Syrian government?
- a) Its medicinal benefits
- b) International demand for the drug
- c) Severe international sanctions and the need for alternative income
- d) Support from neighboring countries
- Answer: c) Severe international sanctions and the need for alternative income
- Which country’s foreign minister announced a “shoot-to-kill” policy against drug smugglers along its border with Syria?
- a) Jordan
- b) Saudi Arabia
- c) Iraq
- d) Lebanon
- Answer: a) Jordan
- What warning did the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) issue in its recent report?
- a) Europe will soon legalize Captagon
- b) Europe could become a key transshipment area for Captagon
- c) Captagon production will cease entirely
- d) The EU will provide medical uses for Captagon
- Answer: b) Europe could become a key transshipment area for Captagon