A coalition led by U.S. Special Forces has destroyed a large drug cache previously controlled by ISIS.
The drugs had an estimated value of roughly one-and-a-half million dollars. (Military Times)
“Despite [ISIS’] facade of Islamic purity, its criminal terrorists are known drug users and traffickers,” the coalition said in its press release. “The cache included more than 300,000 pills of Captagon, an illegal drug frequently trafficked and used by [ISIS] members.”
Captagon is a highly addictive amphetamine-based drug that is banned in many countries. The drug keeps its user awake and alert for long periods of time and can help dull pain. The drug’s main ingredient is fenethylline, a chemical combination of amphetamine and theophylline.
Informally, the drug is sometimes referred to as the “Jihadi pill,” due to its reported popularity among ISIS militants.
The onset of the Syrian Civil War intensified drug trafficking overall and the enrichment of those unafraid to get their hands dirty.
It remains unclear if ISIS ever became a net-exporter of the drug, or remained primarily a consumer. Regardless, this wouldn’t be the first time methamphetamine was used on soldiers as a combat performance-enhancing drug.
During World War II, the German Wehrmacht used stimulants en masse to reduce fear and fatigue. At a critical point in the Battle for France, Allied soldiers recalled German troops charging fearlessly towards machine gun nests.
AAN Staff
The staff at American Action News are consummate professionals, who when not producing original, hard-hitting content, are scouring the internet to bring you the unfiltered news that matters to you! Our mission is to maximize your experience on our website. If we can ever be of assistance, please do not hesitate to let us know!
