The Jordan Harbinger Show 864: Caroline Rose | Captagon and the New Age of Narco-Diplomacy
Jul 20, 2023
Caroline Rose, an expert on Captagon and its troubling role in the Middle East, dives deep into the drug's origins and effects. She reveals how Captagon has become a $5.7 billion industry, transforming Syria into a narco-state with ties to organized crime. They discuss its massive use among different demographics and the complexities of smuggling operations. Rose also unpacks Syria's role in INTERPOL, questioning international cooperation against the drug trade while highlighting narco-diplomacy's challenges in combating this growing crisis.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Captagon's Evolution
- Captagon, an amphetamine-type stimulant, was initially produced in the 1960s for weight loss and ADHD.
- Today's Captagon is different from the original phenethyline formula and varies widely in composition.
Captagon's Regional Concentration
- Captagon isn't prevalent in the United States or Europe.
- It primarily circulates within the Middle East, particularly the Arab Gulf.
Captagon's Functional Use
- Captagon use carries less stigma in some regions as it's seen as a productivity enhancer.
- People use it for studying, working long hours, or suppressing hunger, unlike recreational drugs.