Local forces connected to the military security apparatus in Syria’s southern Daraa Governorate raided early on Sunday the village of Khirbet Al-Shaham.
Authorities successfully apprehended two individuals suspected of engaging in drug trafficking and smuggling.
According to local sources in the western Daraa countryside, a military convoy comprising several armored vehicles and armed personnel carried out the raid on Al-Salam Compound in the village.
Abdullah Al-Khaldi, the brother of local factional group leader Ahmed Al-Khaldi, who was previously detained, was apprehended. Abdullah is accused of drug smuggling and collaborating with Hezbollah.
In addition, forces carried out raids on houses near the water desalination plant and arrested a suspect named Fawaz Al-Khaldi, who is accused of drug trafficking and smuggling in the area. The plant was the recent target of an attack.
Multiple reports have indicated the presence of a drug production facility operated by a local faction led by Ahmed Al-Khaldi in Khirbet Al-Shaham, which lies near the Jordanian-Syrian border.
This faction was formed after the 2018 reconciliation agreement and is affiliated with the Security Office of the Fourth Division, which sought to attract and recruit various former opposition factions in the western region of Daraa when settlements were being struck.
Over time, this faction has become involved in the illicit trade and smuggling of drugs.
On May 8, warplanes targeted a water purification facility located near Khirbet Al-Shaham.
A house belonging to drug dealer Merhi Al-Ramathan was targeted in the village of Al-Shaab in the eastern countryside of Sweida.
These areas are located close to the Syrian-Jordanian border.
According to political and intelligence sources cited by Reuters, the first airstrike targeted a Captagon laboratory in Daraa, while the second hit the village of Al-Shaab. Al-Ramathan was killed in the raid.
