Who is Faisal Taghi, alleged drug kingpin extradited from UAE to Netherlands? The UAE and the Netherlands have an extradition treaty, though another alleged drug trafficker sought by the European country was recently released from Emirati custody. United Arab Emirates
Saudi's latest drug bust: thousands of narcotics tablets, 760 pounds of qat Saudi Arabia is a major destination for the amphetamine Captagon, though seizures have decreased recently due to more enforcement in transit countries like Jordan, according to a recent report. Saudi Arabia
Lebanon-Venezuela kingpin detained in Turkey's 'third largest' cocaine bust The Turkish Interior Minister reported some 1,340 pounds of cocaine seized in the operation, which also included the arrest of 13 people. Turkey
Jordan arrests dozens in crackdown against drug smuggling from Syria Dozens of people were arrested inside Jordan, as the kingdom ramps up efforts to fight drug smuggling attempts mainly on the border with Syria. Jordan
US outlines strategy to counter Syria's lucrative Captagon trade The report to lawmakers details US plans to support the counter-narcotics capacity of Syria's neighbors and impose sanctions on the key drug traffickers fueling the regime's operations. Syria
Lebanon seizes Captagon shipment bound for central Africa, Gulf Lebanon's latest bust comes as US sanctions and other measures work to counter trafficking in the country. Lebanon
Analysis Why are Golan Heights Druze protesting Israel's wind turbines project? The state-backed project has ignited strong objections by the Druze in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, who fear for their health and for their rural way of life. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Oman seizes 6 million pills in Captagon bust with Saudi Arabia A video shared by the Royal Oman Police shows agents unloading what appears to be white cardboard boxes filled with bags of Captagon tablets encased in moss-colored bricks. Oman
US readies strategy to target Syria’s Captagon trade In the coming weeks, the Biden administration will submit to Congress an interagency plan to tackle the Syrian regime's multi-billion-dollar drug business. Syria
Saudi Arabia seizes 8 million Captagon pills as it courts Syria's Assad to clamp down The kingdom and Jordan both want Syria to help stop the flourishing drug trade as they seek normalization with the Assad government. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia seizes 5 million Captagon pills in latest bust A Saudi raid is the latest in a series of drug busts that has seen nearly weekly arrests inby the country for transporting, selling and promoting drug use since March. Gulf
Saudi Arabia seizes 12.7 million Captagon pills in pomegranate bust Four people were arrested in a major drug bust, according to the state-owned Saudi Press Agency, including two Egyptians, one Syrian and one Yemeni national. Gulf
EU slaps Captagon sanctions on relatives of Syria's Assad The European Union adopted new restrictive measures today against Syrian individuals and entities accused of trafficking narcotics and supporting the oppressive Syrian government. Syria
Saudi Arabia seizes 4.6 million amphetamine pills in bathroom shipment A Jordanian national was apprehended in Jeddah while receiving the amphetamine shipment hidden in ceramic toilets, sinks and washbasins. Gulf
UAE busts 4.5 million Captagon pills in food cans after smuggler arrest Amphetamine fenethylline, known by its brand name Captagon, has increasingly become the drug of choice among youth in Gulf Arab states. United Arab Emirates
Three Lebanese soldiers killed in Bekaa drug raid Lebanon plays a big role in the Captagon trade, though authorities are trying to crack down on drugs. Lebanon
