ATHENS
– Greece has seized drugs worth more than 100 million euros ($113
million) after intercepting a Syrian ship sailing for Libya, the coast
guard said on Friday.
Officials found about six tonnes of processed cannabis and 3 million
super-strength “Captagon” amphetamine pills hidden aboard the
Syrian-flagged “Noka”, it said in a statement.
The freighter, with a crew of 11, was en route from the Syrian port of
Latakia to Benghazi when it was intercepted by Greek authorities off the
southeastern coast of Crete on Dec. 5.
The Noka was escorted to Heraklion port on the Greek island on Dec. 8, where the authorities unloaded its entire cargo.
The drugs were found under false floors in eight containers, hidden between layers of coffee, spices and wood shavings.
Syria became a major amphetamines exporter and consumer as the trauma of
the country’s civil war fuelled demand and the breakdown in order
created opportunity for producers.
Captagon was said to be a fund-raising tool and stimulant for militants.
The government now controls most of the country and Islamic State is
close to defeat.
Greek authorities have impounded the vessel and its contents. The crew
have been arrested and will appear before a public prosecutor on
Saturday.
Scientists say Captagon is a super-boosted amphetamine with unique
chemical complexities allowing it to induce potent psychoactive effects
far more rapidly than amphetamines alone.
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