Syria

Syria is a country in the Middle East that has been significantly involved in the regional drug trade and political conflicts. Its president, Hafez al-Assad, played a role in regional politics and alliances.¹

Drug Trade and Political Influence

Syria maintained control of the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon, a major heroin-producing area, after the Lebanese civil war. Syrian occupation forces reportedly profited from and protected the drug trade, with estimates suggesting up to $2 billion in protection money was paid annually by dope plantation operators. The Bekaa also became a center for processing Colombian cartel cocaine for re-export to European markets. In 1988, two Syrians arrested with large quantities of heroin and coke in Milan, Italy, claimed to be working for a Syrian colonel in Bekaa.¹

There were long-standing back-channel relations between Washington D.C. and Damascus. A 1987 Pentagon memo indicated that Oliver North was personally notified that Syrian intelligence in Lebanon was willing to negotiate with the White House for the release of hostages held by Lebanese terrorists. President George H.W. Bush himself reportedly made secret visits to Damascus for hostage negotiations.¹

After Desert Storm, Hafez al-Assad closed ranks with the White House and softened his stance against Israel. President George H.W. Bush and Secretary of State James Baker encouraged Syria and Israel to recognize each other's Lebanese occupation zones. Under a 1990 accord, Syria maintained control of the Bekaa Valley, including notorious drug ports north of Beirut.¹

Connections to Pan Am Flight 103

Syria was implicated in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. The private investigative firm Interfor claimed that the PFLP-GC was behind the bombing and that the flight was part of a heroin smuggling route connected to the Syrian regime and protected by both the U.S. DEA and the CIA. Monzer Al-Kassar, a Syrian kingpin and arms dealer, was alleged to oversee this ring. The CIA was reportedly protecting Al-Kassar's operation due to his cooperation in freeing U.S. hostages in Lebanon.¹

Allegations suggested that the CIA and DEA instructed Germany's internal intelligence agency, the BKA, to allow certain suitcases to pass uninspected onto U.S.-bound flights at the Frankfurt airport. A suitcase intended for heroin was covertly substituted with explosives by the PFLP-GC and Monzer Al-Kassar. In 1990, when the White House sought Syria as a partner in the Allied coalition, blame for the Pan Am bombing shifted from Syria to Libya.¹

Other Connections

Michael Riconosciuto's affidavit stated that the DEA was using Euramae Trading Company to sell PROMIS software to drug abuse control agencies in various Middle Eastern countries, including Syria.¹