‘Major drug trafficker’ detained in failed attempt to smuggle 628,000 Captagon pills

AMMAN — Anti-Narcotics Department personnel have foiled an attempt to smuggle a large amount of narcotic pills to a nearby country, the Public Security Department (PSD) media centre said in a statement released Sunday. 

Three out of six men suspected to be involved in the smuggling attempt were apprehended, the statement said, while a search is still under way for the others.

One of those apprehended is a “major drug smuggler” who is wanted on several counts, according to the PSD.

The PSD said it received information that a group of people were planning to smuggle a large amount of Captagon pills to a neighbouring country in air filter devices. 

After investigations, anti-narcotics agents managed to find the drugs hidden in a warehouse in an Amman suburb. 

The six suspects reportedly involved in the smuggling attempt were identified, including three from an Arab country. 

The agents raided the warehouse and seized 628,000 Captagon pills that were hidden in 193 air filters.

The case was referred to court, according to the statement.

Marketed under the name Captagon, the substance acts as a powerful stimulant and is made up of components of the amphetamine family, namely fenethylline. 

Abuse of fenethylline under the brand name Captagon is most common in Arab countries and counterfeit versions of the drug continue to be available despite its illegality.