The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported a widespread trade of “narcotics” in Damascus countryside and nearby areas, revealing that Hezbollah and other loyal local militias were involved in the drug business.
Citing sources from al-Qalamoun area bordering Lebanon, SOHR said there is a rise in the trade of narcotic pills in the region under the control of officials and members of Hezbollah and other militant groups.
According to the war monitor, nearly 14 factories are producing these pills, with three factories in Sergaya, two in Rankos, two in Assal Al-Ward and two in al-Jebba. Also, there is one factory in each of Talfita, Bakha’a, al-Toufil, Madaya and al-Saboura.
The drug products are sold in different areas in Syria and the region.
On January 16, SOHR sources said that the proliferation of illicit pills was noticeably escalating throughout Syria, especially among youth, as they are sold in public in all regime-controlled areas, Damascus and Rif Dimashq in particular, and at lower prices than in other countries. This has made it easy for anyone to access drugs that could be available even in supermarkets and cloth stores.
Reliable SOHR sources have confirmed that military groups affiliated to the Lebanese Hezbollah are the ones responsible for the broad proliferation of hashish and pills across regime-controlled areas, as cargoes of hashish are still allowed to cross, via nonofficial crossings, from Lebanon to several areas under its control in Rif Dimashq.
These crossings include one in Sergaya area on the border with Lebanon and Assal Al-Ward, which is one of the most prominent areas where cargoes of hashish cross into Syria, as well as the nonofficial crossings with Al-Qusayr city in Homs countryside, which is controlled by officers and members of the regime-backed forces.
A civilian from Damascus known by his initials as M.A. - who is as an employee in a regime governmental circle - has told SOHR that “the area of Al-Baramekah in the capital, Damascus, became a hotbed for the dealers of hashish and drug pills. These dealers were seen standing on street corners with their hands in their pockets, waiting for boys, girls and even children and sell them drugs in public.
"I did witness one of such deals when a young man bought hashish from a drug dealer, while I was waiting for a bus,” he noted.
