Syria: Arrest of a brigadier general close to Maher al-Assad, and the seizure of a drug shipment bound for Iraq.

Syrian General Security arrested brigadier generals close to Maher al-Assad, brother of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and seized a drug shipment bound for Iraq, according to Al Jazeera.

According to the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, officer Abdul Karim Ahmed Al-Hamada was in charge of managing the settlement file during the former regime and coordinating with the leadership of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

So far, no Iranian comment has been issued on the Deir ez-Zor Governorate statement.

Since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime, the Military Operations Directorate has opened settlement centers for former regime members to surrender their weapons. However, the refusal of some members has led to clashes in several provinces across the country.

In Latakia Governorate, the Ministry of Interior stated that the General Security received light weapons from dignitaries from the villages of Al-Budi and Al-Qala'a in the Jableh countryside.

The Ministry of Interior explained that this operation falls within the framework of ongoing efforts to control the proliferation of weapons and restrict their use to the state, with the aim of enhancing security and stability in the region and supporting civil peace.

In the same context, the Latakia Governorate stated that the Public Security Directorate had seized a weapons warehouse in the city of Qardaha and taken the necessary legal measures.

Meanwhile, Syrian security forces seized a massive drug shipment en route to Iraq on Saturday and arrested its distributors, according to a statement from the Aleppo Governorate (north) on its Telegram channel.

On March 9, the final statement of the Syria and Neighboring Countries Conference, held in Jordan, emphasized the need for cooperation in combating drug and arms smuggling and transnational organized crime, and for Syria to be provided with support and assistance in strengthening its capabilities in this regard.

According to British government estimates, the ousted Assad regime was responsible for 80% of global Captagon production.

The global Captagon trade is estimated to be worth around $10 billion annually, while the Assad family's annual profit was around $2.4 billion.

On December 8, 2024, Syrian factions took control of Damascus and other cities, ending 61 years of Baath Party rule and 53 years of Assad family rule.

On January 29, the Syrian government announced the appointment of Ahmed al-Sharaa as president for the transitional period. Other decisions included the dissolution of armed factions and security agencies operating under the previous regime, the People's Assembly (parliament), the Ba'ath Party, and the abolition of the constitution.

Source: Al Jazeera + Agencies