Half-Year Seizure Tally
Syria's General Customs Administration reported a broad set of contraband interceptions recorded across the country during the first half of 2026, spanning narcotics, counterfeit cash, precious metals, antiquities and weapons. The administration operates under the General Authority for Ports and Customs.
The headline figure was more than 1.3 million captagon pills, an amphetamine-type stimulant, underscoring the scale of trafficking that customs teams say they continue to confront.
Narcotics Intercepted
Officials logged 1,343,722 captagon pills seized between January and June 2026, alongside 153.3 kilograms of cocaine and 40.4 kilograms of hashish.
The volumes point to sustained enforcement pressure at the country's ports and land crossings, which the authority directly oversees.
Counterfeit Cash and Bullion
Inspectors confiscated $83,550 in counterfeit US dollars (USD) and 345,000 in counterfeit Syrian pounds (SYP), targeting forged notes that can erode confidence in a heavily cash-based economy.
The same operations recovered 4,712 grams of gold and 27.43 kilograms of silver moving outside legal channels.
Heritage and Arms
Customs teams also intercepted 266 archaeological pieces, part of a continuing effort to curb the trafficking of cultural property. A further 122 weapons and ammunition units were seized over the six-month period.
Economic Stakes
The administration framed the campaign as a defense of the national economy and a measure to combat drug trafficking and preserve cultural heritage, describing the seizures as protecting community and national resources.
For a state working to rebuild legitimate trade, curbing smuggling and counterfeit currency is tied to restoring trust in formal markets.