Built on the ashes of 10 years of war in Syria, an illegal drug industry run by powerful associates and relatives of President Bashar al-Assad has grown into a multibillion-dollar operation, eclipsing Syria\u2019s legal exports and turning the country into the world\u2019s newest narcostate.<\/p>\n
Its flagship product is captagon, an illegal, addictive amphetamine popular in Saudi Arabia and other Arab states. Its operations stretch across Syria, including workshops that manufacture the pills, packing plants where they are concealed for export and smuggling networks to spirit them to markets abroad.<\/p>\n
An investigation by The New York Times found that much of the production and distribution is overseen by the Fourth Armored Division of the Syrian Army, an elite unit commanded by Maher al-Assad, the president\u2019s younger brother and one of Syria\u2019s most powerful men.<\/p>\n
Major players also include businessmen with close ties to the government, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and other members of the president\u2019s extended family, whose last name ensures protection for illegal activities, according to The Times investigation, which is based on information from law enforcement officials in 10 countries and dozens of interviews with international and regional drug experts, Syrians with knowledge of the drug trade and current and former United States officials.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Powerful allies of Syria\u2019s president are making and selling amphetamines, turning the country into the world\u2019s newest narcostate, a New York Times investigation found. The drug trade has emerged in the ruins of a decade of war. https:\/\/t.co\/JcaKroiC5S<\/a><\/p>\n — New York Times World (@nytimesworld) December 6, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n