‘First’ Captagon lab found in Iraq, says country’s interior ministry

The laboratory was discovered in the southern province of Muthana, which borders Saudi Arabia – believed to be the largest market for the drug

Most of the region’s Captagon, which derives its name from a once-legal drug used to combat narcolepsy, is produced in Syria and Lebanon

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Iraq’s Interior Ministry spokesman General Saad Maan inspects bags of Captagon pills, after a site for Captagon production was found in a province bordering Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Photo: Iraqi Interior Ministry / AFP

Published: 4:38am, 17 Jul 2023

Iraq said on Sunday it has found a site in a province bordering Saudi Arabia where Captagon is produced, a rare discovery in a country that has become a transit route for the illicit drug.

“Today, and maybe for the first time, a laboratory where Captagon is produced was found,” interior ministry spokesman General Saad Maan said in a video posted online.

Iraq has long been a transit country for Captagon, the amphetamine-like stimulant plaguing the Middle East, but officials say it has also become a consumer market for the drug.

The laboratory was discovered in the southern province of Muthana, a statement from the ministry said.

Oil-rich Saudi Arabia is believed to be the largest market for the drug.

The ministry did not announce any arrests but said the site contained machines capable of producing Captagon pills as well as 27.5kg of raw materials.

The vast majority of the region’s Captagon, which derives its name from a once-legal drug used to combat narcolepsy, is produced in Syria – another Iraqi neighbour – and Lebanon.