What's the poor man's cocaine that Hamas terrorists were high on when they attacked Israel?

The Hamas terrorists carried out a well-coordinated surprise attack on Israeli soil on October 7 killing and abducting hundreds of Israelis, shocking everyone. After the counteroffensive, the exchange of missiles and rockets followed, killing hundreds.

What came to light next was even more alarming!

According to a report, the Hamas terrorists were under the influence of Captagon, a synthetic amphetamine-type drug with a notorious history.

This drug, also known as the "cocaine for the poor," was found in the pockets of many terrorists who were killed following the attack.

Let's find out more about the drug, its nickname and the role it plays in the region.

Reputation

• Captagon started becoming popular in 2015 when it was revealed that ISIS fighters were using it to suppress fear before carrying out terrorist operations.
• However, as the influence of groups like ISIS diminished, other players entered the scene.
• Lebanon and Syria became key producers and distributors of this drug, particularly in Gaza, where it found a growing market, especially among the youth.

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What's Captagon?

• Captagon belongs to the amphetamine family and was initially developed to address attention disorders, narcolepsy, and depression.
• Despite its highly addictive nature and potential for inducing psychotic reactions, it continues to enjoy popularity in West Asia due to its affordability and ease of manufacturing, hence the nickname.

• In poorer countries, the drug can be purchased for a dollar or two, while in the West, it could go up about twenty times.
• Its primary effects include arousing feelings of euphoria, reducing the need for sleep, suppressing appetite, and sustaining energy.
• In Lebanon and Syria, Captagon is not only prevalent among the terrorists but also used by desperate civilians in conflict zones.

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Role in terror funding

• What makes the Captagon situation even more concerning is its role in funding terrorism.
• Once a source of revenue for ISIS members through drug smuggling, Captagon has now become a major source of income for Syria and is actively supported by Hezbollah and Hamas.
• According to an Al Jazeera report, a robust Captagon industry and associated channels are in place in Syria, with involvement from associates of the Syrian dictator Bashar Assad and his family members.

• This industry, overseen by Assad's brother and supported by Hezbollah, has become a prosperous enterprise amidst the ongoing civil war in Syria.

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How big is the menace?

• Estimates suggest that Captagon's exports from Syria alone reached a minimum of $3.5 billion in 2020, surpassing the combined value of Syria's legal export industries.
• In Saudi Arabia, consumption of Captagon is estimated to exceed 600 million pills annually, generating a market value of at least $9 billion to $12 billion every year.

• The drug's reach extends beyond West Asia, with seizures of Captagon reported in Italy, Greece, Malaysia, Kuwait, the UAE and Egypt.
• In Jordan, it is reportedly, readily available at low cost.

To conclude, what fentanyl is for the US, Caotagon is for West Asia. 

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