Abstract
Captagon (fenethylline) has been banned in Saudi Arabia since 1986. Despite this, it remains popular with problem drug users and is in widespread illicit production. Of 667 batches of seized ''Captagon'' tablets subjected to physical and chemical tests, 84% were found to be illicitly-produced fenethylline from a common source, and 16% were found to be fake tablets, consisting of a mixture of quinine and caffeine, also presumed to have a common origin. Fenethylline was synthesised by a modification of the German patented method.