The regime of Bashar al-Assad has turned Captagon, an amphetamine-based drug, into a lucrative economic engine, using profits to fund military efforts while evading Western sanctions. Initially traded in the 1960s, it evolved from a medication to a major illicit trade following Syria’s civil war. The U.S. and European sanctions aim to disrupt this narcotics trade, targeting key figures involved. Neighboring countries have reported record seizures, underlining Syria’s prominent role in the Captagon market, particularly influencing wealthy youth in Gulf states.