💨 Abstract

A cousin of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, Wassim Badi Assad, has been arrested by Syrian authorities for alleged drug trafficking and support to pro-government forces. He was previously sanctioned by the U.S. in 2023 for similar crimes. Syria's long conflict, which started in 2011, created a large drug production industry, including the stimulant Captagon, generating billions of dollars for militias and the government.

Courtesy: WTOP Staff