Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has achieved great success in the campaign against drugs in the country. For the first time, the agency has seized a huge consignment of synthetic narcotic named Captagon, whose value in the international market is said to be around Rs 182 crore. A foreign national has also been arrested during this action.
Giving information about this action on Saturday (May 16), Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that this major success has been achieved under ‘Operation Rezpil’. He said that the busting of this drugs network being sent to the Middle East and the arrest of the foreign accused is an example of India’s zero tolerance policy.
Praising the NCB officials, the Home Minister said, “Every gram of drugs that comes into India or uses Indian soil as a transit route will be traced and action will be taken.”
Modi govt is resolved for a ‘Drug-Free India’.
Glad to share that through ‘Operation RAGEPILL’, our agencies have achieved the first-ever seizure of Captagon, the so-called “Jihadi Drug”, worth ₹182 crore.
The busting of the drug consignment destined for the Middle East and…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 16, 2026
Captagon is actually the brand name of a synthetic stimulant drug called phenethylline. It was developed in the 1960s. Initially it was used to treat problems like ADHD, narcolepsy and extreme fatigue. However, it was banned worldwide in the 1980s due to its high potential for abuse and addiction.
Illicitly manufactured Captagon usually contains a mixture of amphetamine, caffeine, and other chemicals. After taking it, a person feels heightened alertness, energy, enthusiasm, and the ability to stay awake for days without sleeping. This is the reason why its use increased rapidly in conflict affected areas.
Captagon got its name as a jihadi drug in the conflict zones of the Middle East. Reports from international media and security agencies have claimed that terrorist organizations operating in Syria and surrounding areas, including ISIS, used it as a substance to boost the morale of fighters. In many reports, it has also been linked to ‘pharma terrorism’, where illegal smuggling of drugs is said to provide financial help to terrorist and armed organizations.
According to NCB, around 227.7 kg of Captagon was recovered during the raid. The agency has arrested a Syrian national, who was living illegally in India and was trying to transport this drug consignment to West Asian countries.
The investigating agencies are now probing this network’s international links, funding channels and possible contacts in India. Officials believe this action is a major blow to efforts to use India as an international drugs transit route.
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