British Chemicals Linked to Captagon Production in Syria
Recent reports have revealed that a Captagon factory in Douma, located in the Damascus countryside, was found to contain chemicals primarily of British origin. The Telegraph reported that substances such as chloroform, formaldehyde solution, hydrochloric acid, petroleum ether, and ethyl acetate were discovered in brown containers produced by the Surechem chemical company based in Suffolk, England. This revelation raises serious concerns about the international implications of chemical exports and their potential misuse in illicit drug production.
Factory Operations and Evidence Destruction
The factory, which was reportedly set ablaze by fleeing workers, was found with Captagon pills hidden in various items, including engines and furniture. Opposition sources indicated that the fire was extinguished before all evidence could be destroyed. Notably, hundreds of business cards belonging to Amer Tayseer Khiti, a former government official suspected of leading the Captagon trade, were also discovered. Khiti is believed to have connections with Maher al-Assad, the brother of the ousted Syrian president, further implicating the Assad regime in the drug trade.
Economic Impact of Captagon Trade
The Political and Economic Networks Observatory has estimated that the Assad regime has profited approximately $2.4 billion annually from the Captagon trade between 2020 and 2022, which constitutes about a quarter of Syria's gross domestic product. Observers note that Syria is a significant player in the Captagon market, producing around 80% of the world's supply of this narcotic, thereby providing crucial financial support to the regime. This situation highlights the complex interplay between drug production and the ongoing political crisis in Syria.
