Jordan seizes 2 million drug pills at reopened Syrian border crossing

Jordanian security forces thwarted an attempt to smuggle two million narcotic pills through the Naseeb border crossing with Syria, known as Jaber on the Jordanian side. The interception occurred on Sunday, just days after the checkpoint resumed operations following a closure triggered by Jordanian airstrikes on targets in southern Syria.

Details of the seizure operation

The Public Security Directorate’s media spokesperson stated that anti-narcotics officers at the Jaber crossing, coordinating with Jordan Customs and other security agencies, successfully stopped the smuggling attempt and seized the contraband. Authorities acted on intelligence regarding a specific cargo vehicle, which was detained immediately upon attempting to enter the country.

A thorough inspection of the truck revealed the two million pills hidden within secret compartments constructed inside the vehicle’s body specifically for this purpose. Officials noted that the shipment was intended for re-smuggling into a neighboring country, and investigations into the case have commenced.

Background on border tensions

The border strip between Jordan and Syria has seen rapid security developments, characterized by ongoing attempts to smuggle drugs and infiltrate across the frontier. These activities coincide with regional tensions experienced over the past few days.

Syrian authorities closed the Naseeb crossing on October 27, suspending the movement of passengers and trucks in both directions. This decision followed Jordanian airstrikes targeting locations in the Deraa and Sweida governorates in southern Syria, which resulted in seven deaths. Damascus described the strikes as a violation of Syrian sovereignty.

The crossing reopened after a phone call between Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Al-Shibani. During the conversation, both sides emphasized the importance of containing the fallout from recent developments and preventing them from negatively impacting bilateral relations.

Recent military incidents

The Jordanian Army announced on Saturday that it had thwarted an infiltration attempt by an armed group of 14 individuals crossing from Syrian territory into Jordan. The incident involved clashes with Jordanian border guards.

The Jaber crossing, opposite the Naseeb checkpoint on the Syrian side, serves as the primary land gateway for passenger and trade movement between the two nations. It functions as a critical corridor for trucks and goods traveling to and from Syria, extending along an international route connecting Syrian territories with Jordan and Gulf states.