Saudi Arabia seizes 1.5 million Captagon pills hidden in tables

22-05-2025

Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced the interception of 1.5 million Captagon pills in Riyadh hidden in a shipment of tables. The Ministry of Interior said the operation led to the arrest of three Syrians and one Saudi citizen. The shipment's country of origin was not disclosed. 'The General Directorate of Narcotics Control seized 1,520,000 tablets of the narcotic substance amphetamine hidden inside a shipment of tables in the Riyadh region,' a statement read. 'The intended recipients were arrested in the Riyadh and Eastern regions and include three Syrian nationals and one Saudi citizen." Security officials urged citizens and residents to report any information related to drug trafficking or distribution. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries have stepped up efforts to combat the smuggling of Captagon, an amphetamine-like stimulant that has raised alarm across the region due to its widespread use. Syria was the region's primary producer of Captagon until the fall of former president Bashar Al Assad in December, although he had denied his government's involvement. The new administration has pledged to crack down on the production and trafficking of the drug. In 2021, it was estimated the Syrian government generated more than $5 billion from the Captagon trade. The drug is transported to some Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, leading to a string of high-profile seizures. In February, Saudi authorities arrested 15 state employees in connection with three criminal networks involved in drug trafficking. A Ministry of Interior official said a total of 19 people were detained in the Asir, Jazan and Eastern provinces. The groups were allegedly involved in smuggling drugs across the kingdom and laundering the proceeds. Those arrested included five Interior Ministry employees, seven from the Tax and Customs Authority and three from the Ministry of Defence. A month earlier, Saudi Arabia executed six Iranians convicted of drug smuggling, state news agency SPA reported, an act that prompted protests from the government in Tehran. In 2023, Saudi authorities launched a widely publicised anti-drugs campaign involving raids, arrests and public awareness drives.

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Iraqi forces seize Captagon in Damascus drug raid

The National

an hour ago

The National

Iraqi forces seize Captagon in Damascus drug raid

Iraqi counter-narcotics forces seized more than 1.35 million Captagon pills during a raid in Syria's capital, in a rare and significant cross-border operation, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said on Wednesday. The operation in Damascus was the first direct security engagement between Iraq and Syria and reflects both countries' commitment to tackle the drugs threat. An elite Iraqi unit launched the mission after gathering 'precise intelligence from sources embedded in regional drug trafficking networks', a ministry statement said. The raid was carried out "in close co-operation with the Syrian Directorate of Narcotics Control", it added. The operation led to the capture of a major international drug trafficking network and the confiscation of approximately 215kg of narcotics, it added. 'This achievement represents a significant milestone in the framework of international co-operation to combat cross-border threats,' the ministry said. It emphasised Iraq's 'commitment to tracking down drug traffickers wherever they may operate'. The statement did not reveal when the raid was carried out, how many people were arrested or their identities.

Qatar, Saudi, Egypt Urge Hamas to Disarm and Exit Gaza

UAE Moments

5 hours ago

UAE Moments

Qatar, Saudi, Egypt Urge Hamas to Disarm and Exit Gaza

Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt —alongside 14 other countries, the EU, and the Arab League —have publicly called for Hamas to disarm and step down from ruling Gaza. The bold move was made during a UN conference focused on reviving the long-stalled two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. Declaration Pushes for PA to Take Over Gaza The joint statement urged Hamas to hand over control of Gaza to the Palestinian Authority (PA) with international backing, aiming to pave the way for a sovereign and independent Palestinian state. This comes after the Palestinian delegation itself requested both Hamas and Israel withdraw from Gaza to allow the PA to govern. Condemning Hamas, Opening Doors What makes this stand out? For the first time, Arab states condemned the October 7 Hamas attacks and clearly called for the group's disarmament and removal from Palestinian governance. France, which co-hosted the event with Saudi Arabia, called the move ' historic and unprecedented.' The statement even hinted that some countries may be open to normalizing ties with Israel —a big deal in the region. What's Next? Possible Foreign Forces in Gaza The declaration also proposed a temporary international stabilization mission in Gaza, under UN leadership, once the war ends. The UN Security Council would have to greenlight it, and regional backing would be key. UK May Recognize Palestine Soon On the sidelines of the conference, Britain said it could recognize a Palestinian state by September —if Israel meets conditions like a Gaza ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid. The War Isn't Over Yet It's been 21 months since the latest war in Gaza began, following Hamas' October 2023 attack and Israel's massive military response. The fighting has caused widespread destruction and tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties. At the conference, UN Secretary-General António Guterres admitted the truth: ' The two-state solution is farther than ever. '

Seychelles Ambassador to the United Nations delivers statement at the conference on Palestine

Zawya

7 hours ago

Zawya

Seychelles Ambassador to the United Nations delivers statement at the conference on Palestine

The Permanent Representative of Seychelles to the United Nations, Ambassador Ian Madeleine, delivered a statement at the high-level conference being chaired by France and Saudi Arabia aimed at addressing the practical questions of Palestinian statehood as part of a wider Two-State Solution. Ambassador Madeleine stressed the urgency of the moment in the face of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the diminishing prospect of lasting peace in the region. He deplored the suffering being witnessed in Gaza and called on the United Nations to ensure that international laws and obligations are met and upheld. He further reiterated Seychelles firm position supporting the Two-State Solution. 'At a time when countless lives have been lost, and an entire population continues to live under the weight of conflict, the urgency of global action cannot be overstated. The Two-State Solution—with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security—remains the internationally recognised framework for resolution. It is rooted in key United Nations resolutions, including 242, 338, 1397, and 2334, and supported by decades of international consensus. Yet, the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. The violence against civilians, the devastation in Gaza, and the absence of any viable political horizon have made the path to peace appear increasingly elusive,' stated Ambassador Madeleine. The Republic of Seychelles officially recognised the State of Palestine in 1988 and established diplomatic relations with the State of Israel in 1992. Since the attack by Hamas on 7th October 2023, Seychelles has repeatedly deplored the indiscriminate killings of civilians as well as the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza, called for a permanent ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages, and renewed efforts towards a lasting resolution to the conflict. The High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution is meeting from 28-30 July 2025, in New York. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Republic of Seychelles.