Filenews 6 September 2025 - by Fanis Makridis
The high-risk drug Captagon (class A) is on the doorstep of Cyprus, something that has put the Police and the competent Anti-Drug Service (YKAN) on alert.
Information obtained by "F" states that since the middle of last week, all the police directors of the provinces, as well as the competent services of the Police Force, have been notified in order to be on alert.
A competent senior officer prepared a detailed briefing note and sent it last Wednesday (27/8) to the above-mentioned heads of services/police departments so that they are able to take action if suspicions arise of possible trafficking and use of Captagon.
Foreign Services
What cannot cause complacency, is the information that came to the attention of the Drug Enforcement Agency. More specifically, as "F" is able to know, on the basis of information from foreign services transmitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the drug in question, which is in the form of a pill and is difficult to locate, may also be trafficked on our island.
"The drug in question is not excluded to circulate in Cyprus" is the characteristic reference recorded in the detailed note, as our newspaper is able to know.
Our Neighbouring Countries
From the information we have obtained, it appears that this drug is produced and trafficked in Syria and Lebanon, countries that are adjacent to Cyprus and with which there is contact and communication. A source at "F" also said that Captagon trafficking has also spread to Jordan.
The distribution network
The main production center of Captagon is considered to be Syria. From there, the preparations are transported by road or air to Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. Subsequently, quantities are directed to European countries, such as Greece, Italy and Spain, to North Africa (Egypt and Libya), but also to Gulf Arab states (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia).
References to authoritative media that we have identified indicate that drug use is on the rise in Saudi Arabia. Captagon international trade is estimated to reach $10 billion a year.
It is used by fighters
Historically, the manufacture of Captagon is placed in the 60s as a drug for the treatment of syndromes such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and hyperactivity. Two decades later, it began to be banned internationally, due to its high degree of addiction and its side effects.
Captagon is considered a very dangerous drug not only for its users, but also for society in general. According to expert analyses, it is addictive, while it is used by people who want to be constantly stimulated, not feel tired easily and do not need sleep. These characteristics make a user of the drug in question very dangerous for public safety. In addition, as we read, the use of Captagon has psychosomatic side effects.
Captagon has made its resurgence during the Syrian civil war, and in particular since 2012. Reports have referred to its widespread use by Islamic State (ISIS) fighters. After the fall of Bashar al-Assad at the end of 2024 and the prevalence of Islamist organizations such as Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, its production and distribution was blamed on the country's deposed president. Abu Mohammed Al Golani, who hails from Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, had made relevant statements around the end of 2024, while appearing to give instructions for the pills in question to be destroyed.
However, according to foreign services and what is known to the Cyprus Police, Captagon production in Syria is maintained at particularly high levels. In the middle of last spring, 9 million pills were seized in Aleppo and 4 million in the port of Latakia.
Large quantities in Greece
As we noted, Greece has not remained untouched by the scourge of Captagon. It is indicative that in 2017 a pill factory of this drug was located in Nea Peramos (Municipality of Megara) after an investigation by the Financial Crime Prosecution Unit (SDOE) and the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration).
In this particular operation, 650,000 Captagon tablets had been seized. A truck with a special cache was also found. Through this vehicle, it is estimated that the ring would have transported the drugs out of Greece by road.
In addition, as recorded in reports by the Greek media, large quantities of Captagon have also been found in cargo at the port of Piraeus, following checks by competent services. It is characteristic that in May 2024, three containers with 1.6 tons of Captagon pills were seized, coming from Latakia, Syria and having China as their final destination.
Commander of the Ministry of Health: "No Captagon has been detected in the Republic of Cyprus"
- Mr. Christos Andreou, in his statements to "F", confirms that the YKAN did not stand idly by, stressing that "we take our measures preventively for all types of drugs"
"F" turned to the commander of the Anti-Narcotics Service (YKAN), Christos Andreou, asking for official information. However, what he mentioned to us does not intensify the given concern that the whole issue causes. This is in the sense that he confirmed the precautionary measures that are being taken and for which we have referred, while he clarified that so far no preparation has been detected in the Republic of Cyprus. Of course, Mr. Andreou confirmed that it is a particularly dangerous drug.
Mr. Andreou initially told us that "we were recently informed that there is a big problem in Middle Eastern countries." He added that Captagon "is widely trafficked in very large quantities through specific countries."
Then, after first referring to a mechanism that exists and allows his service to have knowledge about the types of drugs that are trafficked in the surrounding areas, he explained where its danger lies: "It is mainly used by fighters, since taking it increases endurance and courage, while it reduces fatigue and the feeling of pain. It contributes to the escalation of violent conflicts and illegal activities."
The commander of the Police Department added that it has been categorized as a "Class A" drug, i.e. it belongs to the same category as narcotic substances such as heroin and cocaine.
He went on to say that after the information received by his Service that it is being trafficked in various preparations and various forms in neighbouring countries, "we informed in detail about the type of drug so that Police services, such as the Aliens and Immigration Service, would be able to identify such preparations and inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for an investigation."
Mr. Christos Andreou clarified that "so far no Captagon has been detected in the Republic of Cyprus", without, of course, ruling out the possibility of it being circulated.
"We, as a service and as the Police, take our measures preventively for all types of drugs," Mr. Andreou concluded.
