On October 2, 2023, the Jordanian army foiled an attempt to smuggle narcotics from Syria. This operation is part of Jordan’s ongoing struggle against drug smuggling, which has seen multiple thwarted attempts in recent years. The country’s military forces are committed to ensuring the security and stability of Jordan against the backdrop of wider political issues related to Syria.
The Jordanian army has successfully thwarted an infiltration attempt involving the smuggling of narcotics from Syria. According to an unnamed military source, operations conducted by the army in the eastern military region, alongside military security agencies and the Anti-Narcotics Department, foiled this attempt early on Wednesday, October 2. Following a series of intensified search and inspection operations, the authorities discovered and seized quantities of narcotics, which were subsequently handed over to relevant authorities. The Jordanian Armed Forces are committed to employing their full capabilities to prevent smuggling and infiltration, thereby ensuring the security and stability of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. This incident is part of a broader pattern of drug smuggling efforts that Jordan has been combating for years. Notably, in September of the previous year, Jordanian forces intercepted five drug smuggling attempts from Syria, the most recent occurring on September 12. In early September 2022, the Public Security Directorate reported foiling four additional smuggling attempts into and out of the kingdom, leading to the arrest of six individuals and the seizure of over 420,000 narcotic pills. The issue of drug smuggling is a significant matter within the Jordanian Initiative regarding the situation in Syria, an initiative shaped by Arab countries aiming to negotiate resolutions to various pressing issues, including humanitarian concerns such as refugees and detainees. Yet, tangible progress has been elusive during the Amman Consultative Meeting and the Arab Liaison Committee Meeting held in Cairo. Moreover, the Syrian regime is widely regarded as primarily responsible for the drug trade and smuggling operations impacting its neighbors, particularly Jordan, which serves as a transit route for narcotics targeting Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia. In March 2023, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on individuals within the Syrian regime connected to the manufacturing and smuggling of the drug Captagon. Furthermore, a study conducted by the Center for Operational Analysis and Research (COAR) in April 2021 highlighted that Syria has increasingly become a major center for Captagon production, evolving into a more sophisticated industry than ever before.
The article pertains to the ongoing issue of drug trafficking from Syria into Jordan, which has been a growing concern for Jordanian authorities. Over the years, Jordan has faced numerous incidents involving the smuggling of narcotics, prompting military and security agencies to engage in extensive measures to curb this illegal activity. The Jordanian Initiative concerning Syria aims to resolve several humanitarian and political issues, including refugee settlements and the Iranian influence in Syria, while also addressing the drug smuggling dilemma, which poses significant challenges to national security. The involvement of the Syrian regime in drug production and smuggling has drawn international scrutiny and led to the imposition of sanctions by entities such as the US Treasury Department.
In summary, the Jordanian army’s recent success in thwarting a drug smuggling attempt from Syria underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Jordan in securing its borders against narcotic trafficking. The perennial issues of drug smuggling, intertwined with political negotiations surrounding the Syrian conflict, highlight the complexity of this matter for both Jordan and the broader Arab region. Continuous efforts to combat this issue are paramount for maintaining national security and stability.
Original Source: english.enabbaladi.net
