Legislation sponsored on Jan. 21 by U.S. Rep. French Hill (R-AR) would aim to update existing law to further combat the threats posed by Captagon and other illicit narcotics.
“I have been focused on the threat posed by Captagon and other narcotics in the region for years,” Rep. Hill said. “Following the fall of Assad, Captagon production has shifted, trafficking routes have adapted, and the harm is spreading across the region.
“It is imperative that we have clear, up-to-date information and a coordinated strategy to disrupt these networks, address the growing methamphetamine problem, and protect regional and global stability,” he added.
The congressman introduced the bipartisan Countering Captagon and Narcotics Post-Assad Act, H.R. 7180, alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) to update Rep. Hill’s law, the CAPTAGON Act to include information on Captagon production shifts and a strategy to disrupt Captagon, methamphetamine, and other amphetamine-type stimulant networks.
In post-Assad Syria, Captagon production has shifted to small-scale operations, particularly in the south, following the Assad regime’s crackdown, suppression that has pushed Captagon production and trafficking into neighboring countries. Crystal meth use is also growing in the region, according to information provided by Rep. Hill’s staff.
Specifically, H.R. 7180 would require the U.S. Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the U.S. departments of State and the Treasury, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Director of National Intelligence, and others as needed, to submit a report to Congress on Captagon, methamphetamine, and other amphetamine-type stimulant production and trafficking, the information says.
The bill has garnered support from Citizens for a Safe and Secure America, FDD Action, the New Lines Institute, the Multifaith Alliance, the Syrian American Council, the American Task Force on Lebanon, and the Syrian Emergency Task Force.
“As drug production and trafficking shift across the Middle East, Congress must update its strategy to meet the reality on the ground,” said Rep. Moskowitz. “I am proud to co-lead the Countering Captagon and Narcotics Act to track evolving narcotics networks, strengthen cooperation with our partners, and disrupt criminal organizations tied to Hezbollah and Iran-backed proxies.”