In a major breakthrough against transnational synthetic drug trafficking networks, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), under Operation RAGEPILL, last week unearthed an international drug syndicate involved in the trafficking of Captagon, the ‘Jihadi drug’. Nearly 227.7 kg of Captagon tablets and powder were seized and one overstaying Syrian national, allegedly a member of the syndicate, was arrested.
Based on information received from a foreign drug law enforcement agency indicating that India was being used as a transit hub for Captagon trafficking, a house in Neb Sarai, New Delhi, was identified and searched on May 11. This led to the recovery of approximately 31.5 kg of Captagon tablets, carefully concealed inside a commercial chapatti-cutting machine. Preliminary investigations suggest that the consignment was intended for export to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Further investigation revealed that the Syrian national had entered India on a tourist visa on November 15, 2024, which expired on January 12, 2025. He had been illegally overstaying in India and had rented the Neb Sarai property. Questioning the accused led to the recovery of 196.2 kg of Captagon powder from a container at the Container Facilitation Station (CFS), Mundra, Gujarat, on May 14, 2026. The container, imported from Syria, was declared as carrying sheep wool. A thorough search uncovered three bags containing the Captagon powder.
India’s first-ever seizure of Captagon
Preliminary investigation indicates that the seized consignment was intended for trans-shipment to the Gulf region, particularly Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Middle Eastern countries, where Captagon abuse is a growing law enforcement and public health concern. The total seizure during Operation RAGEPILL — 227.7 kg of Captagon tablets and powder — has an estimated illicit international market value of approximately Rs 182 crore in Gulf and Middle Eastern markets. This marks India’s first-ever seizure of Captagon, exposing attempts by international syndicates to use India as a transit hub.
The operation gains further significance in light of a recent NCB interdiction in Mumbai involving 349 kg of cocaine concealed in a container originating from Ecuador, indicating an increasing trend of transnational drug syndicates exploiting commercial cargo and containerised trade routes for narcotics trafficking.
During interrogation, the arrested Syrian disclosed that the Captagon pills recovered in New Delhi were illegally manufactured at a factory in Dehradun in November 2025, along with another Syrian accomplice. Following this lead, NCB conducted a search of the factory premises on May 16, discovering sophisticated machinery, including tablet-making, granulation, capsule-filling, coating, sealing, and blister packaging equipment.
Investigation further revealed that the factory owner, allegedly charged approximately Rs 50,000 per day for allowing the use of the facility for illicit Captagon manufacturing.
The owner was arrested during the search and was found to have prior involvement in two separate drug-related cases with the Dehradun Police and NCB Delhi Zonal Office, related to the supply of Tramadol and other NRx tablets.
What is Captagon?
Captagon mainly contains Fenetylline and Amphetamine, classified as Psychotropic Substances under the NDPS Act. Historically, Captagon is the common name associated with Fenethylline, a synthetic stimulant drug originally developed in the 1960s for the treatment of attention disorders and narcolepsy. Owing to its addictive properties and abuse potential, the original pharmaceutical formulation was eventually prohibited internationally. Today, most illicit Captagon tablets circulating in illegal drug markets are clandestinely manufactured and often contain combinations of amphetamine, caffeine, methamphetamine, and other synthetic stimulants.
Origin of name
Captagon has been referred to in international media and security discourse as the ‘Jihadi Drug’ due to repeated allegations and intelligence inputs linking its abuse and trafficking with extremist and conflict-zone networks in parts of West Asia. The terminology emerged because the stimulant effects of the drug allegedly enabled users to remain awake for extended periods, suppress fear and exhaustion, increase aggression and risk-taking behaviour, and sustain prolonged combat-like activity under stressful conditions.
