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Italy seizes record haul of Daesh-made Captagon pills

July 01, 2020
This photo by the Naples branch of the Italian Guardia di Finanza law enforcement agency shows a record seizure of 14 ton of amphetamines, produced in Syria by Daesh (so-called IS) group. — Courtesy photo
This photo by the Naples branch of the Italian Guardia di Finanza law enforcement agency shows a record seizure of 14 ton of amphetamines, produced in Syria by Daesh (so-called IS) group. — Courtesy photo

NAPLES — Italian police on Wednesday seized a world record 14-ton haul of amphetamines made by Daesh (so-called IS) group in Syria.

The drug, in the form of 84 million Captagon tablets, was worth about one billion euros, police said in a statement, describing the operation as “the biggest seizure of amphetamines in the world.”

“We know that the Islamic State finances its terrorist activities mainly by trafficking drugs made in Syria which in the past few years has become the world's largest producer of amphetamines,” the statement added.

The shipment was hidden in three containers found in the port of Salerno, just south of Naples.

Captagon, a brand name, was originally for medical use but illegal versions have been dubbed “the Jihad Drug” – after being widely used by Daesh militants in combat – the police said. — Agencies


July 01, 2020
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