Syria and Jordan Target Captagon Trade in Southern Raids

Syrian anti-narcotics units and Jordanian fighter jets conducted raids in Suwayda province last month to seize illicit Captagon pills [1, 2].

The operations target a drug trade that has evolved into a multibillion-dollar source of revenue ^[1] for the former Assad regime. By dismantling these networks, the coordinated effort seeks to curb the flow of the stimulant into regional markets and disrupt the financial infrastructure supporting the previous administration.

The raids took place on May 5 and 6, 2026 [1, 2]. Security forces focused on residential homes in southern Syria, where the illicit trade has found a significant hub ^[1]. The use of Jordanian air support underscores the regional security threat posed by the mass production and export of the drug.

Captagon, a synthetic stimulant, has become a primary economic driver in the region. The trade is described as a multibillion-dollar enterprise ^[1] that allows the former regime to maintain influence and fund operations despite international sanctions. The focus on Suwayda province reflects the shift of production and distribution hubs within the country's borders.

Jordanian authorities have frequently cited the influx of Captagon as a national security priority. The deployment of fighter jets alongside Syrian ground units suggests a heightened level of cooperation to neutralize the labs and warehouses used for storage ^[2].

Officials said the raids are part of a broader government campaign to reclaim control over the illicit drug trade. The seizure of pills and the disruption of logistics chains are intended to break the cycle of funding that has sustained the former regime's networks for years [1, 2].