‘Jihadi drug’ bust: NCB seizes 227 kg Captagon worth Rs 182 crore, arrests Syrian national

In a press note, the NCB said that information was received from a foreign drug law enforcement agency that India is being used as transit for trafficking Captagon, and a house was identified in South Delhi’s Neb Sarai area. “Search of the house on May 11 led to recovery of about 31.5 kg Captagon tablets, concealed in a commercial chapati cutting machine which preliminary investigation suggests was intended for export to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,” an NCB spokesperson said.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the Syrian national entered India on a tourist visa on November 15, 2024, and his visa expired on January 12, 2025. “He was illegally overstaying in India and had taken the said house in Neb Sarai on rent,” the spokesperson added.

“Questioning of the accused further led to recovery of about 196.2 kg of Captagon powder from a container in the Container Facilitation Station at Mundra, Gujarat on May 14. The container was imported from Syria, with sheep wool as a declared consignment. Thorough search of the container led to recovery of three bags containing the Captagon powder,” the official further added.

What is Captagon – the poor man’s cocaine?

Captagon, historically linked to the pharmaceutical compound fenethylline, was originally developed in the 1960s to treat attention disorders and narcolepsy. However, due to its high potential for addiction and abuse, it was banned internationally. “Today, illicit versions of Captagon are manufactured in clandestine laboratories and typically contain a mix of amphetamines, caffeine, methamphetamine and other stimulants,” a source said.

The source said the drug is widely consumed in parts of West Asia for its ability to induce prolonged alertness, suppress fatigue and hunger, and generate temporary euphoria. However, its use is also associated with increased aggression, impaired judgment, and psychological dependence.

“Over the years, Captagon has drawn global attention due to alleged links between its trafficking networks and conflict zones in West Asia. Intelligence reports and international investigations have indicated that the drug has been found among armed groups operating in these regions, with proceeds from its trade reportedly used to fund organised criminal and extremist activities,” the source said.

Often described as the poor man’s cocaine due to its low production cost and high demand, Captagon has become one of the most lucrative synthetic drugs in West Asia. Enforcement agencies worldwide have flagged its trade as a growing threat involving sophisticated smuggling methods, including maritime routes, forged documentation, and complex financial networks such as hawala, the source further added.