Operation Ragepill against Captagon

The Union Home Minister on 16 May 2026 announced India’s first-ever seizure of Captagon, a banned synthetic stimulant internationally known as the “Jihadi Drug.”

The seizure was carried out under “Operation Ragepill” and the confiscated consignment was valued at approximately ₹182 crore. According to officials, the consignment was intended for markets in the Middle East.

What is Captagon?

Captagon is the street name historically associated with Fenethylline, a synthetic stimulant developed during the 1960s.

The drug was originally prescribed for medical conditions such as:

• Attention disorders
• Narcolepsy

However, it was later banned internationally because of its high addiction potential and widespread abuse.

Why is it Called the “Jihadi Drug”?

Captagon is a highly addictive amphetamine-type synthetic stimulant.

It earned the nickname “Jihadi drug” due to reports that militant organisations, including ISIS, allegedly used the substance to increase the energy, endurance, and aggression levels of combatants while reducing fear during conflict situations.

The drug is also popularly referred to as the “poor man’s cocaine.”

Link with Organised Crime and Conflict Zones

Captagon trafficking has been increasingly associated with:

• Organised international crime networks
• Illicit narcotics trade routes
• Conflict zones in parts of West Asia

The drug has emerged as a major concern for global anti-narcotics agencies because of its role in funding illegal networks and armed groups.

India’s Anti-Narcotics Efforts

Indian enforcement agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), have intensified surveillance against synthetic drugs and transnational narcotics syndicates operating through maritime and air cargo channels.

The latest seizure forms part of a broader anti-drug campaign launched by the Government of India to curb narcotics trafficking and dismantle international drug networks.

Source: AIR