Furthermore, it has been deployed in various wars in the Middle East in the past, earning it the moniker of a combat drug.

Today, addiction to Captagon poses a serious problem in the Gulf Arab states, especially among Saudi youths. This is evidenced by the intensifying anti-drug actions of the authorities of the Arab countries, and in recent days, an attempt to smuggle more than one million Captagon pills was thwarted in the port of Duba, northwest of the kingdom. The pills were discovered hidden within a shipment marked "pepper and guava," which had arrived in Saudi Arabia through the mentioned port. Several arrests were made during the raid.

WHAT IS CAPTAGON?

Developed in Germany in 1961 under the trade name fenethylline, Captagon was created to treat a number of illnesses, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children, depression, and narcolepsy. Fenethylline is a combination of amphetamine, a central nervous system stimulant, and theophylline, a chemical related to caffeine and known as a bronchodilator. Theophylline alone is used to relieve symptoms of asthma and other lung diseases by relaxing and opening the airways in the lungs.

However, when these two chemicals are chemically bonded, they form a psychostimulant that acts faster than amphetamine on its own.

Initially considered a wonder drug, Captagon was legally prescribed for about 20 years. However, by the 1980s, due to increasing evidence of its addictive nature and potential for numerous undesirable side effects, health authorities worldwide banned it. Users may experience a range of side effects, including depression, sleep deprivation, malnutrition due to decreased appetite, blurred vision, breathing difficulties, irregular heartbeat, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

WESTERN GOVERNMENTS ARE CONCERNED

One of the main smuggling routes for Captagon leads from Syria through Jordan to the Arabian Peninsula, with the majority of Captagon entering Jordan passing through Syria's southern border. European policymakers are increasingly worried that the producers and traders of Captagon, mainly based in Syria and Lebanon and suspected of being linked to the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his Lebanese ally Hezbollah, are trying to open new markets beyond the Middle East in response to tightening controls in the region. The Syrian regime and Hezbollah both enjoy the backing of Iran, which restored diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia in March of last year.

Some reports suggest that Captagon has generated around $10 billion in business over the last three years, with much of the revenue linked to groups and individuals associated with the Syrian president. British and American officials believe that the Captagon trade allows Bashar al-Assad who was sternly sanctioned by the West in 2011 for brutally suppressing an uprising to generate income and maintain the loyalty of his internal supporters.

Assad has denied any involvement by himself or his government in the creation and trade of Captagon, claiming that the flourishing drug business in Syria is the fault of Europe and the United States for bringing "chaos" to the war-torn country by supporting his opponents. European officials believe Assad may attempt to export addiction and social tensions to countries he accuses of conspiring against him.

THE SITUATION IN SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health has revealed that the country has over 200,000 drug addicts. Despite incomplete data on Captagon use and users, it appears that most Captagon pills are shipped to Saudi Arabia in the Middle East, with the drug's popularity also growing in other Gulf states. The drug's spread is facilitated by its relatively low cost, selling for just $10–20 per pill.

Its popularity is somewhat surprising given the strict laws in Saudi Arabia against the import, manufacturing, possession, and use of drugs. Under these laws, smugglers and users can face imprisonment, heavy fines, and, if they are foreigners, deportation.

The conservative desert kingdom has relaxed certain social restrictions in recent years, but locals say young Saudis often face boredom, prompting some to turn to drugs for recreation and entertainment.

However, Saudi authorities have stated their commitment to tightening customs inspections, emphasizing their vigilance in the fight against smuggling to ensure the safety of society.

Recent years have seen a number of drug-related arrests in the kingdom. The Saudi leadership is doing everything possible to curb the use of illegal substances, but severe penalties affecting consumers complicate the recovery process for those suffering from addiction.

The negative impact of Captagon on regional stability is becoming increasingly evident as it continues to provide a lucrative economic opportunity for armed actors and some civilians in the war-torn economic environment. With the intensity of the Syrian civil war decreasing, the use and smuggling of this drug are on the rise throughout the region, and Syria is likely to remain its center. However, the influence of Captagon extends far beyond Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, and even the Middle East.