Anti-Narcotics Directorate (Syria)

The Anti-Narcotics Directorate (|المديرية العامة لمكافحة المخدرات) is a law enforcement agency in Syria responsible for combating drug trafficking, production, and abuse. It operates under the Ministry of Interior and focuses on both domestic enforcement and international cooperation against illicit narcotics, particularly Captagon and other synthetic drugs.^[1]

Anti-Narcotics Directorate المديرية العامة لمكافحة المخدرات
Agency overview
Formed	1996 (1996)
Preceding agency	Criminal Security Directorate
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction	Syria
Governing body	Ministry of Interior
General nature	Civilian police
Operational structure
Headquarters	Damascus, Syria
Agency executive	Brigadier General Khaled Eid, Director

History

The Anti-Narcotics Directorate was initially established as part of the Syrian Public Security Police. It became independent from the Criminal Security Directorate in 1996, with responsibilities for anti-drug law enforcement and intelligence gathering.^[2] In 2002, it was further separated from the police structure and established as a fully independent directorate within the Ministry of Interior.Prior to the Syrian civil war, the Directorate maintained regional offices in provinces such as Aleppo and Homs, with plans for expansion.Its operations included coordinating anti-drug efforts, planning operations, and collecting intelligence on drug-related crimes.

During the Assad regime, Syria was widely regarded as a "narco-state" due to state-sponsored production and smuggling of Captagon, involving high-level officials such as Maher al-Assad. The Directorate's effectiveness was limited, with drug trafficking thriving under regime protection.^[3]

Following the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024 and the establishment of a new government led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Directorate underwent significant reforms. Under Interior Minister Anas Khattab, new anti-narcotics branches were launched in August 2025, with the first personnel graduating from a specialized training course in Idlib.^[3] These reforms aimed to dismantle legacy networks and restore public trust in security institutions.

Organization

The Directorate is subdivided into several divisions, including the Internal Anti-Drug Division, International Anti-Drug Division, Information Division, and Rehabilitation and Training Division.It is currently led by Brigadier General Khaled Eid.^[4] In 2025, new regional branches were established to enhance field operations nationwide.^[3]

Operations

Since the 2024 liberation, the Directorate has intensified efforts against drug smuggling and production. Key achievements include the seizure of 13 drug manufacturing warehouses, 121 tons of raw materials, 320 million Captagon pills, and 1,826 kg of hashish.^[4] Recent operations have targeted former regime-linked sites, such as raids on warehouses associated with the Fourth Division.^{[3] [5]}

Notable seizures include:

An ambush in Daraa intercepting Captagon pills hidden in tomato paste containers.^[3] Dismantling a trafficking network in Aleppo, confiscating 200,000 Captagon pills.^[3] A bust at the Port of Latakia uncovering drugs hidden in 5,000 metal bars.^[1] Over 235,000 Captagon pills seized from smugglers in Aleppo.^[6] The Directorate has also collaborated internationally, including joint operations with Turkish intelligence in September 2025, leading to the seizure of 500 kg of raw drug materials and Captagon pills in Yaafour.^[7] Challenges persist in border regions like Daraa and Sweida, where criminal syndicates maintain influence.