“Today, the illicit drug market is becoming more unpredictable
A drug seizure operation in South Africa.
Fuelling instability
Every region has suffered from the spread of synthetic drugs, she said, citing several examples:
In the Middle East and Africa, the captagon trade – a highly addictive stimulant popular on the battlefield – has been fuelling instability, with production and smuggling now deeply intertwined with conflict, Ms. Whaly said.
In Iraq, seizures of the drug surged by more than 3,300 per cent between 2019 and 2023, with authorities seizing 4.1 tonnes in a single year.
Large stockpiles were discovered in Syria, she said, adding that the situation following the fall of Assad requires close monitoring and attention.
In Southeast Asia, authorities seized a record 190 tons of methamphetamine in 2023, with criminal networks exploiting the region’s porous borders to move their product. Meth products are often found in heroin, vapes and counterfeit tablets and can be even more potent than fentanyl.
The Commission on Narcotic Drugs was established by Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1946 to assist in supervising the application of the international drug control treaties. Learn more about the commission here.