NCB makes India’s first Captagon seizure in Operation RAGEPILL
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Under Operation RAGEPILL, NCB seized about 227.7 kg Captagon tablets and powder worth about ₹182 crore and arrested an overstaying Syrian national. About 31.5 kg of tablets came from Neb Sarai, Delhi, and about 196.2 kg of powder from a Mundra CFS container from Syria. It is India’s first Captagon seizure under the NDPS Act.
- Operation
- RAGEPILL (NCB)
- Seizure
- about 227.7 kg Captagon tablets/powder; ~₹182 crore illicit value
- Delhi
- ~31.5 kg tablets in Neb Sarai house (11 May 2026); chapati-cutting machine conceal
- Mundra
- ~196.2 kg powder in CFS container from Syria labelled as sheep wool (14 May 2026)
- Chemistry
- fenetylline and amphetamine (psychotropic under NDPS Act)
- Helpline
- MANAS 1933
Operation RAGEPILL and India’s first Captagon seizure: what happened?
Captagon is a synthetic stimulant widely abused in parts of the Middle East. Syndicates tried to use India as a transit hub toward the Gulf. Intelligence sharing with a foreign agency triggered the Delhi–Mundra busts.
- Accused entered on a tourist visa (15 Nov 2024); visa expired 12 Jan 2025 and he overstayed.
- Probe covers procurement, hawala, logistics and international receivers.
- NCB also flags a recent Mumbai cocaine seizure of 349 kg from Ecuador as part of a wider container-misuse trend.
What is Captagon here?
- A psychotropic tablet/powder mix based on fenetylline and amphetamine, regulated under the NDPS Act.
Why does Operation RAGEPILL and India’s first Captagon seizure matter?
- Internal security: First Captagon seizure in India.
- International cooperation: Foreign LEA tip-off used.
- NDPS: Transit-hub risk via commercial cargo.
What can Prelims ask on Operation RAGEPILL and India’s first Captagon seizure?
- Operation RAGEPILL: ~227.7 kg Captagon; ~₹182 crore; first India seizure.
- Delhi tablets + Mundra powder (Syria origin).
- MANAS helpline 1933.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-05-16): NCB seized about 227.7 kg of Captagon tablets/powder destined for the Middle East, India's first Captagon seizure, and arrested an overstaying Syrian national.
- India risks becoming a transit route for synthetic drugs, which is the security worry.
Quotable data pointNCB seized about 227.7 kg of Captagon tablets/powder destined for the Middle East, India's first Captagon seizure, and arrested an overstaying Syrian national.
PIB: MHA: Operation RAGEPILL, 16 May 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: NDPS Act, NCB.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Operation RAGEPILL's Captagon seizure was about
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB (NCB), 16 May 2026.
Captagon under NDPS is described as containing
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB (NCB), 16 May 2026.
Questions students ask about this
How much Captagon did Operation RAGEPILL seize?
About 227.7 kg of tablets and powder.
Where were the main recoveries?
Neb Sarai, New Delhi (tablets) and Mundra CFS, Gujarat (powder).
Is this India's first Captagon seizure?
Yes, as per the NCB/PIB note.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: MHA: Operation RAGEPILL, 16 May 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending