Police in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have made a significant seizure, confiscating 13 tonnes of amphetamine pills concealed within furniture. The value of this haul, consisting of a drug known as Captagon, is estimated to exceed $1 billion (£810 million). The discovery came about when authorities received a tip-off regarding a suspicious-looking shipping container.
A striking video released by Dubai police showcased their efforts in unearthing this massive drug cache. It depicted officers meticulously tearing open wooden panels and doors, revealing a staggering 86 million pills secreted within. Captagon, often referred to as “the poor man’s cocaine,” has gained notoriety as one of the most widely consumed drugs among young people in the Gulf region.
Although the police did not specify the suspected origin of the illicit shipment, Captagon production is believed to occur on a large scale in Syria. During the peak of the country’s civil conflict, armed groups supplied this highly addictive drug, frequently laced with caffeine, to boost the courage of fighters. Reports indicate that the illegal Captagon trade has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry, driven in part by deepening poverty, which has compelled many ordinary Syrians to participate.
Despite denials from the Syrian government, there have been reports linking influential individuals in business and the military to the manufacturing and distribution of Captagon. In this recent operation, Dubai police revealed that they seized five shipping containers, each concealing a portion of the 13-tonne drug haul. The operation involved extensive efforts, including tracking containers, monitoring suspects, and dismantling 651 doors and 432 wooden panels to access the narcotics.
Authorities disclosed that an international criminal syndicate had orchestrated the shipment, intending to transport the drugs hidden within containers to the UAE and subsequently onward to another destination. The successful discovery was aided by the use of an X-ray machine and a police dog unit.
In connection with this operation, six individuals were arrested, marking one of the largest Captagon pill seizures on record. Notably, Italy experienced a seizure of 14 tonnes of Captagon pills hidden in drums of paper and gear wheels in 2020, while Saudi Arabia intercepted 46 million amphetamine pills concealed within a shipment of flour last year.