Operation RAGEPILL: India Cracks International Captagon Syndicate, Syrian National Held
News Desk: India has recorded its first-ever seizure of Captagon, the notorious synthetic stimulant linked to international drug cartels and conflict zones in West Asia, after the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) dismantled a major transnational trafficking syndicate under “Operation RAGEPILL”.
The nationwide operation resulted in the seizure of nearly 227.7 kilograms of Captagon tablets and powder valued at around ₹182 crore in the international illegal drug market. Authorities also arrested a Syrian national believed to be a key operative in the network.
India Exposes International Drug Transit Network
Officials said the operation exposed attempts by global drug syndicates to use India as a transit hub for smuggling narcotics into Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Middle Eastern nations where Captagon abuse has become a major law-enforcement concern.
Captagon contains Fenetylline and Amphetamine, both classified as banned psychotropic substances under India’s NDPS Act. The drug has gained global notoriety because of its alleged links to organized crime and extremist groups operating in conflict-hit regions.
Amit Shah Hails Operation RAGEPILL
Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the NCB and intelligence agencies for the successful operation, calling it a major achievement in the Modi government’s mission for a “Drug-Free India”.
He said the seizure and arrest reflected India’s zero-tolerance policy against narcotics trafficking and warned that agencies would act firmly against every network attempting to misuse Indian territory for drug smuggling.
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
Foreign Intelligence Triggered the Operation
The operation began after foreign enforcement agencies shared intelligence inputs indicating that an international syndicate was routing Captagon consignments through India.
Acting on the information, NCB officials tracked a rented residence in Neb Sarai, New Delhi, and conducted a raid on May 11.
Drugs Hidden Inside Chapati-Cutting Machine
During the raid, investigators recovered 31.5 kilograms of Captagon tablets concealed inside a commercial chapati-cutting machine. Preliminary investigations suggested the consignment was intended for shipment to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
Officials later discovered that the arrested Syrian national had entered India on a tourist visa in November 2024 but continued staying illegally after his visa expired in January 2025.
Mundra Port Shipment Uncovered
Interrogation of the accused reportedly led investigators to another consignment arriving through Gujarat.
Based on the leads, NCB officials searched a container at Mundra’s Container Facilitation Station on May 14 and seized an additional 196.2 kilograms of Captagon powder hidden beneath imported sheep wool cargo originating from Syria.
Investigators believe the syndicate was using commercial cargo routes and containerized shipping networks to transport narcotics across borders while avoiding detection.
PHOTO | Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the NCB for successfully carrying out ‘Operation RAGEPILL’, through which agencies made India’s first-ever seizure of Captagon, a psychotropic substance used in the Middle East region.
During the operation, 227.7 kg of Captagon… pic.twitter.com/Lbyq5Ngc5K
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 16, 2026
Rising Concern Over Cargo-Based Drug Smuggling
The seizure has intensified concerns over the increasing misuse of global trade and cargo channels for large-scale drug trafficking.
The operation comes close on the heels of another major narcotics seizure in Mumbai involving hundreds of kilograms of cocaine concealed inside cargo containers, indicating a sharp rise in sophisticated international smuggling operations targeting India’s ports and logistics infrastructure.
Wider Probe Into Hawala and Global Links
NCB officials have now launched an expanded investigation to trace the cartel’s hawala transactions, financial channels, logistics handlers, procurement sources, and overseas receivers linked to the syndicate.
Indian agencies are also coordinating with international counterparts to identify the broader transnational network behind the operation.
Landmark Success Against Narco-Terrorism
Authorities described the seizure as a landmark success in India’s fight against narco-terrorism and synthetic drug trafficking.
Officials said the case highlighted the growing importance of international intelligence-sharing and coordinated enforcement operations in dismantling global narcotics networks and preventing India from being exploited as a transit corridor for international drug syndicates.
