The Iraqi captagon and synthetic drug crisis

Winner of the 2025 Ville de Perpignan Rémi Ochlik Visa d'or Award

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in drug trafficking within and through Iraq. The two main drugs involved are captagon, which is produced in Syria, and crystal meth, which, according to the Iraqi authorities, comes from laboratories in Iran. These drugs are predominantly distributed and sold in the poor areas of cities and in the southern regions of the country. The Iraqi authorities have implemented strict measures to curb their proliferation.

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Drugs seized in the Kurdish territory in northern Iraq. In addition to captagon, the drug trade in this area is quite varied: cocaine, heroin and crystal meth. In recent years, Kurdistan has become a major crossroads for drug trafficking in the Middle East. Erbil, Iraq, December 1, 2024.

Analysis of tobacco used for shisha. According to the authorities, synthetic drugs such as captagon are mixed into tobacco. Erbil, Iraq, December 2, 2024.

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Analysis of tobacco used for shisha. According to the authorities, synthetic drugs such as captagon are mixed into tobacco. Erbil, Iraq, December 2, 2024.