NCB seizes first-ever Captagon consignment worth Rs 182 crore; Amit Shah praises agency

PTI, May 16, 2026, New Delhi :The Narcotics Control Bureau has busted an international drug syndicate involved in the trafficking of Captagon and seized approximately 227.7 kg of the “jihadi drug” worth Rs 182 crore, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Saturday.

The success was announced by Home Minister Amit Shah on X. He lauded the agency for seizing the first-ever consignment of Captagon.

Captagon is the street name historically linked to fenethylline, a synthetic stimulant developed in the 1960s which earned the sobriquet of the “jihadi drug” due to repeated allegations and intelligence inputs linking its abuse and trafficking with extremist and conflict-zone networks operating in parts of West Asia, sources said.

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.

In his post on X, Shah said the Modi government has resolved to make 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 Rs 182 crore,” the Home Minister said.

“The busting of the drug consignment destined for the Middle East and the arrest of a foreign national stand out as shining examples of our commitment to zero tolerance against drugs,” he said.

“I repeat, we will clamp down on every gram of drugs entering India or leaving the country using our territory as the transit route. Kudos to the brave and vigilant warriors of the NCB. @narcoticsbureau,” the Union Minister said.

Sharing the details of the operation, the MHA said in a statement that the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) received information from a foreign drug law enforcement agency that India was being used as a transit route for the trafficking of Captagon.