Authorities Seize Over 4 Million Captagon Pills in Syria, Kuwait Amid Regional Crackdowns

Authorities in Syria seized around three million Captagon pills and 50 kilograms of hashish following clashes with a drug trafficking network near the Lebanese border. The operation targeted smugglers crossing via illegal routes in northern Damascus, highlighting Syria's ongoing struggle with drug smuggling amid porous borders with Lebanon. Captagon has become Syria's largest export since the civil war began in 2011 and a significant source of illicit funding for the government, though new Islamist authorities have recently intensified crackdowns, claiming to have seized all production facilities. Separately, Kuwaiti authorities arrested a man in possession of one million Captagon pills and discovered he had illegally obtained Kuwaiti citizenship through forged documents, leading to a joint task force investigation. Both Syria and Kuwait emphasize their commitment to combating drug trafficking through coordinated security efforts and legal action to protect national safety and sovereignty. Additionally, Sri Lankan police seized over 300,000 narcotic pills from foreign shipments, indicating the broader regional challenge of drug smuggling.