Illicit narcotics reportedly fueled Hamas terrorists as they slaughtered Israeli civilians on Oct. 7. Israeli forces apparently found captagon pills stuffed inside the pockets of deceased terrorists, who used the amphetamine-like drug to remain calm and alert during their bloody assault. This discovery is the latest sign that the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad has yet to close up shop on its narco-trafficking operations.

Assad pledged to crack down on the drug trade as part of a deal to end his diplomatic isolation. But his concessions were cosmetic and left him better positioned to wrest additional concessions from his neighbors, the Biden administration, and other international actors. To head off this threat, the U.S. should work with its allies and partners to disrupt trafficking networks and reduce demand before the Syrian regime expands its operations—and funnels drugs to Iran-backed terrorists eager to carry out further attacks.

With an estimated street value of $5.7 billion in 2021, Syria’s captagon exports are very lucrative. Illicit captagon production is a vital source of revenue for the Assad regime. It has grown into a family business, with multiple relatives of the dictator involved in the production and trafficking of the drug.