What Is Captagon and Why Is It Called the ‘Drug of Jihad’?

War is a messy, brutal business, and it often thrives on the desperation of those who fight it. In the modern Middle East, a small white pill quietly became a key player on the battlefield, fueling chaos and killing and lining the pockets of warlords and despots alike. That pill is Captagon, a synthetic amphetamine that has turned conflict zones into testing grounds for its mind-altering effects. 

This isn’t some Hollywood story; it’s a reality that ties together the worlds of illicit drug trafficking, geopolitics, and the dirty tricks of war. At the center of this pharmaceutical cyclone was none other than Bashar al-Assad’s Syria, a country that had become both a producer and exporter of captagon on an industrial scale. Let’s dig into how a potent mix of chemistry and corruption fueled Jihad-minded soldiers and Assad’s political regime. 

What Is Captagon?

Like most illegal drugs of abuse today, Captagon used to have legitimate medical uses. It is a synthetic stimulant drug that was originally developed in Germany during the 1960s. It was created under the generic name fenethylline and was initially used to treat conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and depression. The drug’s chemical structure combines amphetamine and theophylline, making it both a codrug and a prodrug—essentially a compound designed to enhance its therapeutic effects.

The effects of Captagon are significant. Users experience increased alertness and energy, enhanced focus and concentration, and a sense of euphoria or well-being. It also suppresses appetite and reduces feelings of fatigue, making it particularly appealing in high-stress or demanding situations (ex., combat). However, these benefits come at a steep cost. Prolonged use can lead to severe side effects, including psychosis, hallucinations, and dangerous cardiovascular problems.

By the 1980s, Captagon was banned in most countries due to its high potential for addiction and harmful health impacts. However, the drug didn’t disappear. Instead, illegal manufacturers began producing counterfeit versions, often labeled with a lowercase “c” as captagon (the spelling with a capital “C” refers to the brand name). These illicit pills typically contain a mix of amphetamines, caffeine, and various low-quality fillers. Despite being a shadow of the original pharmaceutical version, these counterfeit pills remain highly addictive and dangerous.

Captagon has gained infamy in numerous conflict zones, particularly in the Middle East, where it has earned names like “chemical courage” and “the drug of jihad.” Fighters often use it to stay awake for days, dull their fear, and boost aggression on the battlefield. In Syria, the drug has become a major illegal export, with massive production and smuggling operations driving its spread throughout the region. This illicit trade fuels local conflicts and destabilizes surrounding nations, making Captagon a significant player in the region’s ongoing turmoil.

And there are big bucks involved. The New Lines Institute approximates global Captagon sales at about 10 billion dollars per year, with 80% of the production originating in Syria.

Jihadi’s Drug of Choice

Captagon is often called the “jihadist’s drug of choice” or the “drug of jihad” because of its powerful effects on combat performance. The drug boosts alertness, focus, and energy, allowing fighters to stay awake and active for extended periods. It suppresses basic physical needs like sleep and hunger, making it easier for combatants to endure long and grueling battles. Users also report feelings of euphoria, fearlessness, and even a sense of invincibility, which can give them an edge in high-stress combat situations. Captagon also dulls pain and creates a detached mental state, potentially making users more capable of committing violent acts.

The use of Captagon extends to a wide range of groups and individuals. Militant organizations such as ISIS, Hamas, and Hezbollah have been linked to its use, with fighters relying on the drug to enhance their battlefield capabilities. In Syria, combatants on all sides of the conflict, including Assad’s army, rebel militias, and various Islamist groups, have reportedly used the drug. Its ability to fuel prolonged combat has made it a staple in these war zones.

Beyond conflict zones, Captagon is also popular in other parts of the Middle East. In Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, students have been known to use it to prepare for exams, taking advantage of its focus-enhancing effects. Among unemployed youth in Saudi Arabia, the drug has gained a foothold as a way to cope with stress and boredom. Recreational users in the region also favor Captagon, which is sometimes called the “cocaine of the poor” because of its relative affordability compared to other drugs. Street prices in the Middle East usually range from the equivalent of $1 to $15 per pill, depending on location and quality.

Captagon’s stimulant effects, coupled with its ability to suppress fear and pain, have made it a tool of war and addiction. Its use by both militants and civilians across the Middle East underscores its devastating impact on the region.

Is It in the US?

Assad’s Captagon Empire

When it comes to the industrial production of captagon, all roads lead back to Syria. Under Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Syria became the global hub for captagon manufacturing and export. It wasn’t a side hustle—it was a critical piece of the regime’s strategy to stay afloat amidst international sanctions and a crumbling economy.

Here’s how it worked: Production facilities—often disguised as pharmaceutical labs—are scattered throughout regime-controlled areas. The Syrian military and intelligence apparatus oversee the operation, working hand-in-glove with smugglers to move the product across borders. From there, captagon pills find their way to markets across the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, which accounts for a massive share of the demand.

To put it bluntly, Captagon has become Assad’s golden goose. In 2021 alone, the captagon trade was estimated to be worth billions, dwarfing Syria’s legitimate exports. It’s a chilling irony: the same drug that fueled chaos and conflict in Syria was also propping up the regime responsible for much of that chaos.

The Future of Captagon

With the fall of Assad’s regime in Syria in December 2024, the future of the country’s Captagon production and trafficking is uncertain but unlikely to end completely. While efforts to dismantle the trade are underway, several challenges remain that could keep the illicit industry alive.

The new leadership in Syria, led by Ahmed al-Shara, has pledged to tackle the Captagon crisis. Al-Shara, who led the rebel offensive, stated, “Syria has become the biggest producer of Captagon on Earth, and today, Syria is going to be purified by the grace of God.” Rebel forces have already begun destroying Captagon stockpiles, burning and disposing of large quantities of the drug as they uncover manufacturing sites. However, fully eradicating the trade will be an uphill battle.

Many factors make it difficult to eliminate Captagon entirely. The drug has a high street value, making it incredibly profitable for those involved. The ease of obtaining precursor chemicals used to manufacture Captagon, coupled with well-established smuggling networks, creates a system that is hard to dismantle. Even if production slows down temporarily, the infrastructure supporting the trade remains intact.

The economic impact of the Captagon trade also complicates efforts to stop it. At its peak, the industry generated $10 billion annually, with $2.4 billion flowing directly into Assad’s coffers. This massive source of revenue filled the gap left by Syria’s struggling legitimate economy. Now, with Assad gone, the economic void created by the collapse of the Captagon trade might tempt others to continue production as a way to bring in money.

Pressure from regional players could influence how the new Syrian government handles the trade. Gulf states, particularly those frustrated with Assad’s use of Captagon as a bargaining tool during normalization talks, may push for a crackdown on the drug trade. However, the sheer power of a multi-billion dollar drug economy poses a challenge for the fragile transitional government, which may lack the resources and stability to fully control it.

The demand for Captagon in the Middle East remains high, further complicating the situation. Even with recent drug seizures and the disruption of production networks, the market for Captagon is unlikely to disappear overnight. Experts predict that any reduction in production will only be temporary as smuggling networks adapt and seek new opportunities.

The future of Captagon in post-Assad Syria will largely depend on the new government’s ability to resist the economic temptation of the drug trade and establish control over trafficking networks. Regional cooperation and support from neighboring countries will also be critical in addressing the widespread demand and dismantling smuggling operations. Without strong leadership and international backing, the Captagon trade could continue to fuel instability in the region.

Summation

The story of Captagon is a grim reminder of how war, economics, and illicit drugs intersect to devastate societies. As Syria moves forward, the international community must remain vigilant, offering both support and pressure to dismantle the remnants of this deadly trade and prevent it from further fueling instability in the Middle East.