German authorities seize $64.5M worth of Captagon drugs

BERLIN

German authorities have seized $64.5 million worth of Captagon drugs after more than a year-long investigation into the activities of a Syria-linked gang, officials said on Thursday.

Around 461 kilograms (1,000 pounds) of addictive Captagon pills were seized during custom inspections, as well as searches conducted at the properties of the suspects in recent months, prosecutors and investigators said in a joint statement.

“The street value of the over 3.2 million Captagon tablets seized is approximately $64.5 million. The four accused, Syrian nationals between the ages of 33 and 45, are in custody,” officials said, adding that a large part of the drugs were intended to be shipped to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The investigations were carried out by Aachen public prosecutor’s office and Essen customs investigation office, and the biggest seizure was made when 324 kg (714 Ibs) of Captagon pills were confiscated in a warehouse, according to the statement.