Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah congratulates brave and vigilant warriors of NCB for successfully carrying out ‘Operation RAGEPILL’   Through ‘Operation RAGEPILL’, our agencies have achieved the first-ever seizure of Captagon, the so-called “Jihadi Drug” The busting of the drug consignment destined for the Middle East stand out as a shining example of Modi government’s zero tolerance against drugs We will clamp down on every gram of drugs entering India or leaving the country using our territory as the transit route NCB launches a comprehensive probe into the procurement source, hawala links, logistics chain, international receivers and wider transnational drug network 227.7 kg Captagon Tablets/Powder worth ₹182 crore seized; Syrian national linked to syndicate arrested Posted On: 16 MAY 2026 2:06PM by PIB Delhi In a major breakthrough against transnational synthetic drug trafficking networks, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), under Operation RAGEPILL , has successfully unearthed an international drug syndicate involved in the trafficking of Captagon, leading to the seizure of approximately 227.7 Kgs. of Captagon Tablets/Powder and the arrest of one overstaying Syrian national, who is a member of the syndicate. The Captagon mainly contains Fenetylline and Amphetamine which are Psychotropic Substances under the NDPS Act. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, congratulated the brave and vigilant warriors of NCB for successfully carrying out the ‘Operation RAGEPILL’. Shri Shah said that through ‘Operation RAGEPILL’, our agencies have achieved the first-ever seizure of Captagon, the so-called “ Jihadi Drug ” . Shri Amit Shah posted on X, “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 the arrest of a foreign national stand out as shining examples of our commitment to zero tolerance against drugs. 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.” 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 Developing information received from a Foreign Drug Law Enforcement Agency that India is being used as transit for trafficking of Captagon, a house was identified in Neb Sarai, New Delhi and search of the house on May 11, 2026 led to recovery of about 31.5 Kg Captagon Tablets, carefully concealed in a commercial chapati cutting machine which preliminary investigation suggests was intended for export to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Preliminary investigation revealed that the Syrian national had entered India on a tourist visa on 15.11.2024, but his visa expired on 12.01.2025 and he was illegally overstaying in India and had taken the said house in Neb Sarai on rent. Questioning of the accused further led to recovery of about 196.2 Kgs. of Captagon Powder from a container in Container Facilitation Station (CFS) at Mundra, Gujarat on May 14, 2026. The container was imported from Syria, with sheep wool as a declared consignment. Thorough search of the container led to recovery of 3 bags containing 196.2 Kgs. of Captagon Powder. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the seized consignment was intended for transshipment to the Gulf region, particularly Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Middle Eastern countries, where Captagon abuse has emerged as a serious law enforcement and public health concern. The total seizure effected during Operation RAGEPILL amounts to approximately 227.7 Kgs. of Captagon Tablets/Powder, with an estimated illicit international market value of approximately ₹182 crore in destination markets across the Gulf and Middle East. This operation marks India’s first-ever seizure of Captagon in India and exposes attempts by international syndicates to use India as a transit hub. It also exemplifies how international intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation can play a critical role in identifying, intercepting, and dismantling transnational narcotics trafficking networks operating across multiple jurisdictions, and how the drug enforcement agencies across the world can come together to dismantle the trans-national drug syndicates. The seizure also assumes significance in light of another recent major NCB interdiction in Mumbai involving 349 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a container originating from Ecuador, indicating an increasing trend of transnational drug syndicates misusing commercial cargo and containerized trade routes for trafficking narcotic substances across regions. The NCB has initiated a comprehensive investigation to identify the source of procurement, financial and hawala linkages, logistics facilitators, international receivers, and the wider transnational network associated with the syndicate. India is committed to strengthening international cooperation through intelligence sharing, extradition of drug kingpins, and coordinated action against narco-terrorism and drug cartels to ensure collective response to the global issue of drug trafficking and drug abuse. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, NCB reiterates its unwavering commitment towards the policy of zero tolerance against drug abuse and continues to work in close coordination with national and international agencies to dismantle transnational narcotics syndicates operating across borders. The NCB also urges citizens to report narcotics-related information through the MANAS Helpline (Toll-Free: 1933). The identity of informers is kept strictly confidential. ***** RK/PR/PS (Release ID: 2261701) Visitor Counter : 4149 Read this release in: Urdu , Marathi , Bengali , Bengali-TR , Assamese , Punjabi , Gujarati , Odia , Tamil , Telugu , Kannada , Malayalam Ministry of Home Affairs Operation RAGEPILL: NCB Busts a Major International Drug Trafficking Network; Makes India’s First-Ever Seizure of Captagon, a Psychotropic Substance used in the Middle East Region Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah congratulates brave and vigilant warriors of NCB for successfully carrying out ‘Operation RAGEPILL’   Through ‘Operation RAGEPILL’, our agencies have achieved the first-ever seizure of Captagon, the so-called “Jihadi Drug” The busting of the drug consignment destined for the Middle East stand out as a shining example of Modi government’s zero tolerance against drugs We will clamp down on every gram of drugs entering India or leaving the country using our territory as the transit route NCB launches a comprehensive probe into the procurement source, hawala links, logistics chain, international receivers and wider transnational drug network 227.7 kg Captagon Tablets/Powder worth ₹182 crore seized; Syrian national linked to syndicate arrested Posted On: 16 MAY 2026 2:06PM by PIB Delhi In a major breakthrough against transnational synthetic drug trafficking networks, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), under Operation RAGEPILL , has successfully unearthed an international drug syndicate involved in the trafficking of Captagon, leading to the seizure of approximately 227.7 Kgs. of Captagon Tablets/Powder and the arrest of one overstaying Syrian national, who is a member of the syndicate. The Captagon mainly contains Fenetylline and Amphetamine which are Psychotropic Substances under the NDPS Act. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, congratulated the brave and vigilant warriors of NCB for successfully carrying out the ‘Operation RAGEPILL’. Shri Shah said that through ‘Operation RAGEPILL’, our agencies have achieved the first-ever seizure of Captagon, the so-called “ Jihadi Drug ” . Shri Amit Shah posted on X, “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 the arrest of a foreign national stand out as shining examples of our commitment to zero tolerance against drugs. 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.” 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 Developing information received from a Foreign Drug Law Enforcement Agency that India is being used as transit for trafficking of Captagon, a house was identified in Neb Sarai, New Delhi and search of the house on May 11, 2026 led to recovery of about 31.5 Kg Captagon Tablets, carefully concealed in a commercial chapati cutting machine which preliminary investigation suggests was intended for export to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Preliminary investigation revealed that the Syrian national had entered India on a tourist visa on 15.11.2024, but his visa expired on 12.01.2025 and he was illegally overstaying in India and had taken the said house in Neb Sarai on rent. Questioning of the accused further led to recovery of about 196.2 Kgs. of Captagon Powder from a container in Container Facilitation Station (CFS) at Mundra, Gujarat on May 14, 2026. The container was imported from Syria, with sheep wool as a declared consignment. Thorough search of the container led to recovery of 3 bags containing 196.2 Kgs. of Captagon Powder. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the seized consignment was intended for transshipment to the Gulf region, particularly Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Middle Eastern countries, where Captagon abuse has emerged as a serious law enforcement and public health concern. The total seizure effected during Operation RAGEPILL amounts to approximately 227.7 Kgs. of Captagon Tablets/Powder, with an estimated illicit international market value of approximately ₹182 crore in destination markets across the Gulf and Middle East. This operation marks India’s first-ever seizure of Captagon in India and exposes attempts by international syndicates to use India as a transit hub. It also exemplifies how international intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation can play a critical role in identifying, intercepting, and dismantling transnational narcotics trafficking networks operating across multiple jurisdictions, and how the drug enforcement agencies across the world can come together to dismantle the trans-national drug syndicates. The seizure also assumes significance in light of another recent major NCB interdiction in Mumbai involving 349 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a container originating from Ecuador, indicating an increasing trend of transnational drug syndicates misusing commercial cargo and containerized trade routes for trafficking narcotic substances across regions. The NCB has initiated a comprehensive investigation to identify the source of procurement, financial and hawala linkages, logistics facilitators, international receivers, and the wider transnational network associated with the syndicate. India is committed to strengthening international cooperation through intelligence sharing, extradition of drug kingpins, and coordinated action against narco-terrorism and drug cartels to ensure collective response to the global issue of drug trafficking and drug abuse. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, NCB reiterates its unwavering commitment towards the policy of zero tolerance against drug abuse and continues to work in close coordination with national and international agencies to dismantle transnational narcotics syndicates operating across borders. The NCB also urges citizens to report narcotics-related information through the MANAS Helpline (Toll-Free: 1933). The identity of informers is kept strictly confidential. ***** RK/PR/PS (Release ID: 2261701) Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah congratulates brave and vigilant warriors of NCB for successfully carrying out ‘Operation RAGEPILL’<br/><br/>  Through ‘Operation RAGEPILL’, our agencies have achieved the first-ever seizure of Captagon, the so-called “Jihadi Drug”<br/><br/>The busting of the drug consignment destined for the Middle East stand out as a shining example of Modi government’s zero tolerance against drugs<br/><br/>We will clamp down on every gram of drugs entering India or leaving the country using our territory as the transit route<br/><br/>NCB launches a comprehensive probe into the procurement source, hawala links, logistics chain, international receivers and wider transnational drug network<br/><br/>227.7 kg Captagon Tablets/Powder worth ₹182 crore seized; Syrian national linked to syndicate arrested" /> <span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">In a major breakthrough against transnational synthetic drug trafficking networks, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), under <strong><em>Operation RAGEPILL</em></strong>, has successfully unearthed an international drug syndicate involved in the trafficking of Captagon, leading to the seizure of approximately 227.7 Kgs. of Captagon Tablets/Powder and the arrest of one overstaying Syrian national, who is a member of the syndicate. The Captagon mainly contains Fenetylline and Amphetamine which are Psychotropic Substances under the NDPS Act.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size:16px">Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, congratulated the brave and vigilant warriors of NCB for successfully carrying out the ‘Operation RAGEPILL’. Shri Shah said that through ‘Operation RAGEPILL’, our agencies have achieved the first-ever seizure of Captagon, the so-called </span><strong>“<em>Jihadi Drug</em>”</strong><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size:16px">. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size:16px">Shri Amit Shah posted on X, “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 the arrest of a foreign national stand out as shining examples of our commitment to zero tolerance against drugs. 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.”</span></p> <p lang="en" dir="ltr">Modi govt is resolved for a ‘Drug-Free India’.<br><br>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. <br><br>The busting of the drug consignment destined for the Middle East and…</p>— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah/status/2055546776862814235?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2026</a> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size:16px">Developing information received from a Foreign Drug Law Enforcement Agency that India is being used as transit for trafficking of Captagon, a house was identified in Neb Sarai, New Delhi and search of the house on May 11, 2026 led to recovery of about 31.5 Kg Captagon Tablets, carefully concealed in a commercial chapati cutting machine which preliminary investigation suggests was intended for export to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Preliminary investigation revealed that the Syrian national had entered India on a tourist visa on 15.11.2024, but his visa expired on 12.01.2025 and he was illegally overstaying in India and had taken the said house in Neb Sarai on rent. </span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">Questioning of the accused further led to recovery of about 196.2 Kgs. of Captagon Powder from a container in Container Facilitation Station (CFS) at Mundra, Gujarat on May 14, 2026. The container was imported from Syria, with sheep wool as a declared consignment. Thorough search of the container led to recovery of 3 bags containing 196.2 Kgs. of Captagon Powder. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the seized consignment was intended for transshipment to the Gulf region, particularly Saudi Arabia and neighbouring Middle Eastern countries, where Captagon abuse has emerged as a serious law enforcement and public health concern.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">The total seizure effected during <strong><em>Operation RAGEPILL</em></strong> amounts to approximately 227.7 Kgs. of Captagon Tablets/Powder, with an estimated illicit international market value of approximately ₹182 crore in destination markets across the Gulf and Middle East. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">This operation marks India’s first-ever seizure of Captagon in India and exposes attempts by international syndicates to use India as a transit hub. It also exemplifies how international intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation can play a critical role in identifying, intercepting, and dismantling transnational narcotics trafficking networks operating across multiple jurisdictions, and how the drug enforcement agencies across the world can come together to dismantle the trans-national drug syndicates. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">The seizure also assumes significance in light of another recent major NCB interdiction in Mumbai involving 349 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a container originating from Ecuador, indicating an increasing trend of transnational drug syndicates misusing commercial cargo and containerized trade routes for trafficking narcotic substances across regions.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">The NCB has initiated a comprehensive investigation to identify the source of procurement, financial and hawala linkages, logistics facilitators, international receivers, and the wider transnational network associated with the syndicate. India is committed to strengthening international cooperation through intelligence sharing, extradition of drug kingpins, and coordinated action against narco-terrorism and drug cartels to ensure collective response to the global issue of drug trafficking and drug abuse. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, NCB reiterates its unwavering commitment towards the policy of zero tolerance against drug abuse and continues to work in close coordination with national and international agencies to dismantle transnational narcotics syndicates operating across borders. The NCB also urges citizens to report narcotics-related information through the MANAS Helpline (Toll-Free: 1933). The identity of informers is kept strictly confidential.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">*****</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px"><strong>RK/PR/PS</strong></span></span></p> " /> var mPlayer = document.getElementById("background_music"); var mPlayAction = document.getElementById("playbutton"); var isPlaying = false; function playAudio() { mPlayer.play(); isPlaying = true; document.getElementById('stopA').style.display = "block"; document.getElementById('playA').style.display = "none"; } function pauseAudio() { mPlayer.pause(); isPlaying = false; document.getElementById('playA').style.display = "block"; document.getElementById('stopA').style.display = "none"; } //function HandleAudio() { // if (isPlaying == true) { // //Playing already Pause it // pauseAudio(); // } else { // //Play the music // playAudio(); // } //} var synth = window.speechSynthesis; function CleanHtml(html) { html = html.replace(/ /gi, ''); return html; } function stripHtml(html) { let tmp = document.createElement("DIV"); tmp.innerHTML = CleanHtml(html); return tmp.textContent || tmp.innerText || ""; } $(document).ready(function () { //for responsive tables $("table").each(function () { if (!$(this).closest(".table-responsive").length) { $(this).wrap(" "); } }); var width = $(window).width(); if (width $(document).ready(function () { var width = $(window).width(); if (width @media print { .sticky-social, .sticky-social_mb, .pull-right, #printPDF { display: none !important; } } .f_vl { padding-right: 30px; font-size: 17px; cursor: pointer; } .log_oo { // width: 20%; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; } .log_oo img { width: 150px; /*width: 100%; height: auto;*/ } .sticky-social_mb { position: fixed; bottom: 0px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; width: 100%; } .social_mb { list-style: none; display: flex; width: 100%; margin-bottom: -8px; } .social_mb a { padding: 8px 0px; font-size: 30px; transition: all 0.8s ease-in-out; width: 20% !important; text-align: center; } .section1 { position: relative; padding: 10px 0px; width: 100%; } .sticky-social { position: fixed; top: 20px; left: 0px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; } .social { list-style: none; } .social a li { padding: 8px 12px; font-size: 25px; transition: all 0.8s ease-in-out; } .social a li:hover { margin-right: -30px; box-shadow: 2px 5px 10px grey; } .social a li:hover .fa { margin-left: 20px; } .fb_b { /* background-color: rgb(59, 89, 152);*/ background-color: rgba(65,103,178,255); } .twitter_r { /* background-color: rgb(29, 161, 242);*/ background-color: #000000; } .whatsapp_r { /* background-color: rgb(77, 194, 71);*/ background-color: rgba(13,191,67,255); } .fa-envelope_r { /* background-color: rgb(219, 68, 55);*/ background-color: #e2123d; } .fa-linkedin_r { background-color: rgb(0, 119, 181); } @media only screen and (max-device-width: 767px) { p span img { max-width: 90% !important; height: auto !important; } p img { max-width: 90% !important; height: auto !important; } h2 { font-size: 20px !important; font-weight: 600 !important; } h3 { font-size: 18px !important; font-weight: 600 !important; } } /* === Film Roll Badge Styling(IFFI2025 countdown) === */ .film-roll-badge { position: absolute; top:82%; right: 20px; width: 230px; height: 70px; background: repeating-linear-gradient( to right, #9a2375 0px, #9a2375 18px, #6e2b8b 18px, #6e2b8b 36px ); border-top: 8px solid #9a2375; border-bottom: 8px solid #9a2375; border-radius: 8px; overflow: hidden; box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4); animation: moveFilm 8s linear infinite; z-index: 10; } /* film sprocket holes */ .film-roll-badge::before, .film-roll-badge::after { content: ""; position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 10px; background: repeating-linear-gradient( to right, #9a2375 0px, #9a2375 10px, #fff 10px, #fff 20px ); left: 0; z-index: 2; } .film-roll-badge::before { top: -4px; } .film-roll-badge::after { bottom: -4px; } .film-roll-inner { position: relative; height: 100%; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; animation: flicker 2s infinite ease-in-out; } .countdown-text { font-size: 1.3rem; font-weight: 700; color: #fff; text-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4), 0 0 10px #000; white-space: nowrap; } /* === Animations === */ @keyframes moveFilm { 0% { background-position: 0 0; } 100% { background-position: 120px 0; } } @keyframes flicker { 0%, 100% { opacity: 1; } 50% { opacity: 0.9; } 25% { opacity: 0.95; } 75% { opacity: 0.85; } } /* === Responsive Adjustments === */ @media (max-width: 1500px) { .film-roll-badge { top: 68%; right: 18px; /* width: 220px; */ height: 65px; font-size: 0.85rem; } .press-section { margin-top: 35px; } } @media (max-width: 992px) { .film-roll-badge { top: 52%; right: 10px; width: 200px; height: 60px; } } @media (max-width: 768px) { .film-roll-badge { top: 56%; right: 10px; width: 124px; height: 55px; } .countdown-text { font-size: 0.9rem; } } @media (max-width: 576px) { .film-roll-badge { top: 59%; right: 5px; /* width: 160px; */ height: 50px; } .countdown-text { font-size: 0.85rem; } } const festivalStart = new Date("2025-11-20T00:00:00").getTime(); const festivalEnd = new Date("2025-11-28T23:59:59").getTime(); const countdownElement = document.getElementById("countdown"); const interval = setInterval(() => { const now = new Date().getTime(); // BEFORE FESTIVAL — show days + hours left if (now = festivalStart && now el.style.width = "350px"); clearInterval(interval); } }, 1000); //
Operation RAGEPILL: NCB Busts a Major International Drug Trafficking Network; Makes India’s First-Ever Seizure of Captagon, a Psychotropic Substance used in the Middle East Region
For UPSC
Remember India's first Captagon seizure: 227.7 kg worth ₹182 crore, Operation RAGEPILL by NCB, Syrian national arrested; Captagon contains Fenetylline and Amphetamine (psychotropic substances under NDPS Act), trafficked to Middle East.
Original PIB release
pib.gov.in · PRID 2261701
Open on PIB ↗
pib.gov.in · PRID 2261701