Syria has become a narco-state under the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, who has enabled the production and trafficking of Captagon, a highly addictive stimulant. Captagon, primarily destined for Gulf countries, has generated billions of dollars for Assad's regime and its allies while fueling addiction and fueling regional instability. The illicit trade has flourished due to the weakened control of Syrian territory, allowing drug cartels to establish production and smuggling networks. The Syrian government has turned a blind eye to these activities, using them as a source of revenue and a tool of control over the population.
