Union Dwelling Minister Amit Shah on Saturday mentioned the Narcotics Management Bureau (NCB) has made its first-ever seizure of Captagon, dubbed as “Jihadi drug”, valued at Rs 182 crore underneath ‘Operation RAGEPILL’.

Calling the crackdown a significant success, Shah mentioned the seizure of the consignment, allegedly sure for the Center East, together with the arrest of a overseas nationwide, displays the federal government’s zero-tolerance coverage in opposition to narcotics.

In a publish on X, Shah asserted that authorities would act firmly in opposition to each gram of medication coming into or transiting by means of India, whereas praising NCB officers for the operation.

“Modi govt is resolved for a ‘Drug-Free India’. Glad to share that by means of ‘Operation RAGEPILL’, our companies have achieved the first-ever seizure of Captagon, the so-called “Jihadi Drug”, value ₹182 crore. The busting of the drug consignment destined for the Center East and the arrest of a overseas nationwide stand out as shining examples of our dedication to zero tolerance in opposition to medication. I repeat we’ll clamp down on each gram of medication coming into India or leaving the nation utilizing our territory because the transit route. Kudos to the courageous and vigilant warriors of the NCB,” Amit Shah mentioned in a publish.

Modi govt is resolved for a ‘Drug-Free India’.

Glad to share that by means of ‘Operation RAGEPILL’, our companies have achieved the first-ever seizure of Captagon, the so-called “Jihadi Drug”, value ₹182 crore.

The busting of the drug consignment destined for the Center East and…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 16, 2026

How Officers Tracked Captagon?

Appearing on intelligence shared by a overseas drug legislation enforcement company about India getting used as a transit route for Captagon trafficking, the Narcotics Management Bureau (NCB) recognized a rented home in Neb Sarai, New Delhi. A search carried out on Could 11, 2026 led to the seizure of round 31.5 kg of Captagon tablets hid inside a industrial chapati-cutting machine, allegedly meant for export to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused, a Syrian nationwide, had entered India on a vacationer visa on November 15, 2024. His visa expired on January 12, 2025, following which he allegedly continued to remain in India illegally and rented the Neb Sarai premises.

Additional interrogation of the accused led investigators to a container stationed on the Container Facilitation Station (CFS) in Mundra, Gujarat, the place officers recovered almost 196.2 kg of Captagon powder on Could 14, 2026. The container, imported from Syria and declared as carrying sheep wool, was completely searched, resulting in the invention of three baggage containing the narcotic substance.

Investigators suspect the consignment was meant for transshipment to Gulf nations, notably Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Center Jap nations, the place Captagon abuse has develop into a significant legislation enforcement and public well being problem.

India’s First-Ever Captagon Seizure

Officers mentioned the operation marks India’s first-ever Captagon seizure and highlights makes an attempt by worldwide drug syndicates to make use of the nation as a transit hub for narcotics trafficking. The case additionally underscores the significance of worldwide intelligence-sharing and coordinated legislation enforcement efforts in dismantling transnational drug cartels working throughout a number of jurisdictions.

#WATCH | Narcotics Management Bureau (NCB), underneath Operation RAGEPILL, has efficiently unearthed a world drug syndicate concerned within the trafficking of Captagon, resulting in the seizure of roughly 227.7 Kgs. of Captagon Tablets/Powder and the arrest of 1 overstaying… pic.twitter.com/Ps0czjuw1v

— ANI (@ANI) May 16, 2026

The seizure positive aspects additional significance within the backdrop of one other latest main NCB operation in Mumbai, the place 349 kg of cocaine hid inside a container originating from Ecuador was intercepted, pointing to a rising pattern of worldwide drug syndicates exploiting industrial cargo and container commerce routes for trafficking narcotics.

What’s Captagon?

Captagon was initially the model title for Fenethylline, an artificial stimulant developed within the Sixties to deal with situations reminiscent of ADHD and narcolepsy. As a consequence of its excessive habit danger and misuse potential, the drug was internationally banned by the Nineteen Eighties.

In the present day, illicit Captagon tablets bought in black markets reportedly include mixtures of amphetamine, methamphetamine, caffeine and different artificial stimulants, produced in clandestine laboratories.

The drug is extensively abused in components of West Asia for its stimulant and euphoric results, together with elevated alertness, extended wakefulness, diminished fatigue and heightened aggression. Repeated use can even result in impaired judgment, impulsive behaviour and psychological dependence. It’s also known as the “Poor Man’s Cocaine”.

Why is it referred to as the ‘Jihadi Drug’?

Captagon has regularly been labelled the “Jihadi Drug” in worldwide safety discourse due to alleged hyperlinks between its trafficking and extremist networks working in conflict-hit areas of West Asia.

Investigations through the years have urged that militant teams, together with Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, allegedly used the stimulant to assist fighters keep awake for lengthy durations, suppress concern and exhaustion, and maintain aggressive fight exercise.

Worldwide companies have recognized the Captagon commerce as one of many fastest-growing artificial drug threats in West Asia, involving covert manufacturing items, hawala financing, solid commerce paperwork and complicated trafficking routes. Syria has traditionally been thought-about a significant hub for unlawful Captagon manufacturing.

In keeping with sources, the huge income generated by means of Captagon trafficking have additionally reportedly been used to finance extremist-linked networks.