Insight: War turns Syria into major amphetamines producer, consumer

News Manager

Milforums News Bot
By Stephen Kalin BEIRUT (Reuters) - Syria has become a major amphetamines exporter and consumer as the trauma of the country's brutal civil war fuels demand and the breakdown in order creates opportunity for producers. Drugs experts, traders and local activists say Syrian production of the most popular of the stimulants, known by its former brand name Captagon, accelerated in 2013, outpacing production in other countries in the region such as Lebanon. Reports of seizures and interviews with people connected to the trade suggest it generates hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenues in Syria, potentially providing funding for weapons, while the drug itself helps combatants dig in for long, grueling battles. Most other economic activity in Syria has ground to a halt in the past two years due to the violence, shortages and international sanctions.




More...
 
Back
Top