What is 'jihadi drug' Captagon, seized for the first time in India

The NCB seized Captagon tablets worth Rs 182 crore from Gujarat and Delhi under Operation Ragepill. The first such bust in India has raised security concerns as Captagon, known as jihadi drug, has been traced to conflict and war zones in the Middle East.

In Short

• Captagon is widely known as the jihadi drug and poor man's cocaine
• Officials said the tablets were allegedly destined to be smuggled abroad
• A foreign national, believed to be Syrian, was arrested during the probe

The seizure of a massive consignment of Captagon, often referred to as 'jihadi drug' or 'poor man's cocaine', for the first time in India has sent alarm bells ringing for security agencies. Captagon tablets worth Rs 182 crore were seized from Gujarat's Mundra Port and Delhi's Neb Sarai area by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) as part of Operation Ragepill, announced Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Shah said the drugs were to be smuggled into Gulf countries. A foreign national, believed to be a Syrian, has also been arrested. "Modi government is resolved for a 'drug-free India'... Our agencies have achieved the first-ever seizure of Captagon, the so-called 'Jihadi Drug'," the Home Minister tweeted.

WHAT IS 'JIHADI DRUG' CAPTAGON?

What has drawn significant attention is the nickname 'jihadi drug'. Also known as the "poor man's cocaine", since it is cheap to produce, Captagon is a highly addictive stimulant that has repeatedly surfaced in conflict zones across Syria and the Middle East. It was used extensively by Islamic State terrorists during the Syrian Civil War to remain awake for extended periods, suppress fear and stay active. This led to Captagon being widely labelled as the "jihadi drug".

The fact that the consignment was meant for the Gulf, which is in the midst of the US-Iran war, suggests it may have been meant for the fighters involved in the conflict.

Captagon, however, is not a new drug. Its original form, called Fenethylline, was developed in the 1960s to treat medical conditions such as attention disorders and narcolepsy. However, its addictive nature and potential for abuse saw several countries banning it in the 1980s.

The United Nations later placed it under Schedule II of the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances. It is basically a treaty to restrict the use of psychoactive drugs.

WHY IS CAPTAGON USED?

The 'jihadi drug' that is sold today in black markets is vastly different from its original form. These are clandestinely produced in laboratories and contain a mix of amphetamines, caffeine, methamphetamine and other synthetic chemicals.

Even a small dosage of the drug can be extremely dangerous, experts said. Users may stay awake for long hours, feel less hunger and fatigue, and experience sudden bursts of energy.

Its side effects are equally hazardous. It can trigger aggression, violent behaviour and reckless actions. In the long-term, prolonged use can lead to psychological damage.

In December 2024, large stockpiles of Captagon were reportedly found by Syrian rebel groups after the fall of the al-Assad regime.

It is believed that the enormous profits generated through the smuggling of Captagon are used to finance organised crime syndicates and extremist networks. It is why the seizure of the jihadi drug for the first time in India has raised concern.

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