US blacklists Assad's cousins who trade drugs

The US administration has put 6 people on the sanction list, including 2 cousins of Bashar al-Assad, the leader of the regime in Syria, on the grounds that they play a role in the production and export of "captagon", a synthetic drug. In the statement made by the US Treasury Department, it was stated that the decision was taken in coordination with the UK.

COOPERATIONS WITH HIZBOLLAH'S PARTNERS

It was reported that Samer Kamal Assad, one of Assad's cousins, manages the important captagon production facilities in Latakia, which is under the control of the regime, in coordination with the 4th Division and some partners of Hezbollah. His other cousin, Wassim Badi Assad, was also noted to be a key figure in the regional drug trafficking network.

ASSAD'S BROTHER'S CLOSE FRIEND IS ON THE LIST

It was stated that Khalid Qaddour, a Syrian businessman and a close friend of Assad's brother Maher Assad, is also among the names sanctioned.

THE FORMER COMMANDER OF THE OBSTACTORS WAS THE DRUG BARON

Imad Abu Zureik, one of the former commanders of the anti-regime armed groups, who play an important role in drug production and smuggling in the south of Syria, and 2 Lebanese people linked to Hezbollah were also mentioned on the list.

MONEY GOES TO ASSAD

Emphasizing that the Captagon trade is estimated to have turned into a billion-dollar illegal enterprise, it was emphasized that the Assad family provided financing for the Syrian regime with its dominance in drug smuggling.

'THE GLOBAL LEADER IN CAPTAGON'

Andrea Gacki, Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC),said: "Syria mostly smuggles through Lebanon. Syria has become a 'global leader' in the production of highly addictive captagon. Together with our allies, the proceeds of illegal drugs enable the regime to continue its crackdown on the Syrian people and we will hold accountable those who support the Bashar al-Assad regime through other financial means."

(AA)