Jordanian security forces, in a latest feat, thwarted an illicit attempt to cross the border from Syria by shooting down a drone carrying narcotics, officials reported. The drone was intercepted within Jordanian territory by border guard forces, coordinating with military security services and the anti-drugs department.
“After the interception, the drone was found to be carrying 500 grams of methamphetamine,” a senior military source from the General Command of the Armed Forces said, further mentioning that the contraband was transferred to the relevant authorities.
The military source emphasized that the Jordanian Armed Forces will continue to deal with all border threats with full force and resolve, countering any attempts to undermine and destabilize national security and frighten its citizens.
In February, the Jordanian Army announced the interception of another drone from Syria carrying grenades and a rifle. King Abdullah II of Jordan, on May 22nd, pledged to crack down with an “iron fist” on local and regional drug gangs that threaten national and regional security.
A noteworthy announcement came from the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on the 8th of this month: the high-profile drug trafficker, Mar’i Al-Ramthan, along with his wife and six children, were killed when their home in the village of Al-Sha’ab in eastern rural Suwayda was targeted by Jordanian warplanes.
Al-Ramthan was considered, according to the Observatory, as one of the leading drug traders in the region, including Captagon, and was the main person responsible for smuggling these substances into Jordan.