Cyprus drug squad investigates Captagon trafficking routes through north

Nicosia, Cyprus. The drug squad, Ykan, is investigating possible routes used to traffic Captagon from the north into government-controlled areas, following a sharp increase in seizures of the stimulant.

Ykan chief Christos Andreou said authorities had seized about 1,194 Captagon tablets so far this year, compared with 71.5 tablets during the whole of 2025.

Captagon investigations

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency on Wednesday, Andreou said Captagon was the main drug authorities had information about being smuggled from the occupied areas.

“The main drug we have information on being smuggled in from the occupied areas is Captagon, for which we conducted many patrols along the buffer zone and managed to locate large quantities,” he said.

Captagon is a synthetic stimulant that gained international attention during the Syrian civil war, where it was reported to have been used by Islamic State fighters and other militias to suppress fatigue and improve endurance during combat.

The current form of the drug is generally produced as a counterfeit stimulant containing amphetamine and other chemical substances. The trade became a major source of income for criminal networks in the Middle East, with Syria identified as a key production centre before the fall of the Assad regime.

Other drug seizures

Cocaine seizures have also increased, with authorities confiscating approximately 83 kilograms so far this year, compared with around 51 kilograms during the whole of 2025.

Cannabis remains the most commonly seized narcotic, although quantities recorded this year are lower than last year. Authorities have confiscated around 273 kilograms of cannabis so far in 2026, compared with 810 kilograms throughout 2025.