Executive Summary

Captagon, otherwise known as fenethylline and commonly referred to as “poor man’s cocaine,” is a highly addictive synthetic drug. The Assad regime produced 80% of the global supply of captagon. The end of his rule is causing a rapid shift in the captagon trade. Evidently the new leadership in Damascus, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is not likely to assume control of captagon production and distribution. In fact, it appears to be distancing itself from the issue. Thus creating a void in which new actors can emerge and compete, possibly even violently. Captagon consumers across the region may begin looking to other drugs, such as methamphetamine if there is a dip in the supply of their drug of choice. 

Images Sourced From: NPR