Major Drug Bust: 227.7 kg of Captagon Seized in India

In a significant operation, India's Narcotics Control Bureau has seized 227.7 kg of Captagon, a drug linked to extremist activities, valued at Rs 182 crore. This bust, part of 'Operation RAGEPILL', underscores the country's commitment to combating drug trafficking. The operation led to the arrest of a Syrian national and revealed that India was being used as a transit route for this illicit substance. The seized drugs were intended for the Gulf region, where Captagon abuse poses serious public health concerns. This operation marks a pivotal moment in India's fight against drug-related crimes.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 16, 2026, 16:22 IST

Significant Drug Trafficking Operation Unveiled

The MHA reported the seizure of 227.7 kg of Captagon tablets and powder during Operation Ragepill. (Photo:PTI)

New Delhi, May 16: The Narcotics Control Bureau has dismantled an international drug trafficking network involved in the distribution of Captagon, confiscating around 227.7 kg of this so-called 'jihadi drug' valued at Rs 182 crore, as announced by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday.

Home Minister Amit Shah took to social media to celebrate the agency's achievement, marking the first-ever seizure of Captagon in India.

"I am pleased to announce that through 'Operation RAGEPILL', our agencies have successfully seized Captagon, the so-called 'Jihadi Drug', valued at Rs 182 crore," Shah stated.

He emphasized that this operation exemplifies India's unwavering stance against drug trafficking, noting, "The interception of this drug shipment intended for the Middle East and the arrest of a foreign national highlight our commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs."

According to the MHA, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) received intelligence from an international drug enforcement agency indicating that India was being utilized as a transit point for Captagon trafficking.

On May 11, authorities conducted searches at a residence in Neb Sarai, New Delhi, uncovering approximately 31.5 kg of Captagon tablets hidden within a commercial chapati-cutting machine.

Initial investigations suggest that this machine was meant for export to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as per the MHA's statement.

The residence in Neb Sarai was rented by a Syrian national who had entered India on a tourist visa on November 15, 2024. His visa expired on January 12, 2025, and he was found to be residing in India illegally, according to the MHA.

Interrogation of the suspect led to the discovery of an additional 196.2 kg of Captagon powder in a container at the Container Facilitation Station (CFS) in Mundra, Gujarat, on May 14.

"The container, which was imported from Syria, was declared to contain sheep wool. A detailed search revealed three bags containing 196.2 kg of Captagon powder," the statement elaborated.

"Preliminary investigations indicate that the seized shipment was intended for transshipment to the Gulf region, particularly Saudi Arabia and neighboring Middle Eastern countries, where Captagon abuse poses significant law enforcement and public health challenges," it added.

In total, 227.7 kg of Captagon tablets and powder were confiscated during Operation Ragepill, with an estimated market value of around Rs 182 crore in Gulf and Middle Eastern destinations.

Captagon, a street name historically associated with fenethylline, is a synthetic stimulant developed in the 1960s. It has been dubbed the 'jihadi drug' due to its alleged connections to extremist groups and conflict zones in West Asia, as reported by sources.

This terminology arose because the drug's stimulant properties reportedly allow users to stay awake for extended periods, diminish fear and fatigue, enhance aggression and risk-taking behavior, and sustain prolonged combat-like activities under stress.