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NEW DELHI: Captagon, widely known as the ‘jihadi drug’ for its rampant use by extremist networks active in the conflict zones across the Middle East/West Asia, enables its users to remain awake for extended periods, suppress fear and exhaustion, increase aggression and risk-taking behaviour, thus sustaining prolonged combat-like activity under stressful conditions.According to sources in the security establishment, Captagon’s stimulant and euphoric effects have led the international media and security agencies to frequently refer to it as the ‘jihadi drug’ due to allegations and intelligence inputs over the years, linking its abuse and trafficking with extremist and conflict-zone networks operating in parts of West Asia.The update on the 228-kg seizures of Captagon, valued at around Rs 182 crore, came a day after home minister Amit Shah had, while delivering the annual R N Kao memorial lecture at RAW headquarters here, declared that India would be drugs-free by 2047 and not allow a single gram of narcotics to enter or transit through its borders. He had also appealed for a unified, global fight against narcotics and narco-terror, while pushing for a uniform legal framework, similar penalties and synergised action against drug kingpins and syndicates.Congratulating “the brave and vigilant warriors of NCB” for the Captagon seizure, home minister Amit Shah on Thursday posted on X: “Glad to share that through ‘Operation RAGEPILL’, our agencies have achieved the first-ever seizure of Captagon, the so-called ‘jihadi drug’, worth Rs 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,” he added.Senior officials on Saturday disclosed that Captagon is the common street name historically associated with Fenethylline, a synthetic stimulant drug originally developed in the 1960s for medical treatment of attention disorders and narcolepsy. Owing to its addictive properties and abuse potential, the original pharmaceutical formulation was eventually prohibited internationally.Today, most illicit Captagon tablets circulating in illegal drug markets are clandestinely manufactured and typically contain combinations of amphetamine, caffeine, methamphetamine, and other synthetic stimulants.Sources told TOI that various international investigations and conflict-zone recoveries over the past decade had indicated that Captagon tablets were found in use by armed groups and trafficking syndicates operating in war-affected regions. The enormous profits generated from Captagon trafficking have also reportedly become a significant source of illicit financing for organised criminal and extremist-linked networks in certain regions.Due to its comparatively low production cost and extremely high illicit demand, Captagon is also referred to in some regions as the “Poor Man’s Cocaine”.It is not only ISIS fighters who want Captagon, the drug is highly popular across the Middle East, where alcohol is banned by Sharia law. It has also been used as a sex stimulant among the younger population in the Near and Middle East since early 1980s.A Time magazine report revealed that Saudi Arabia alone accounts for more than one-third of global amphetamine seizures a year. “Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE have reported similar spikes in multimillion-tablet seizures of the drug in the past two years,” as per the report.International agencies have identified Captagon trade as one of the most significant emerging synthetic drug threats in the Middle East, involving clandestine laboratories, precursor chemical diversion, hawala financing, forged trade documentation, maritime trafficking routes, courier networks, and sophisticated concealment mechanisms.” said a source.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUnion Minister Bandi Sanjay’s Son Surrenders In POCSO Case, Remanded Till May 29Five Maoist Functionaries Surrender In Gadchiroli As ‘Operation Antim Prahar’ IntensifiesPM Modi’s Netherlands Visit: India-Dutch Ties Upgraded To Strategic PartnershipUnion Minister Bandi Sanjay Hands Over Son To Police In POCSO Case, Says ‘All Are Equal Before Law’Centre Restricts Silver Bar Imports, Changes Status From ‘Free’ To ‘Restricted’Tamil Nadu Cabinet: CM Vijay Takes Home, Sengottaiyan Gets Finance; Check Full List’Modi Ji…’: Rahul Gandhi Demands Sacking Of Dharmendra Pradhan Over NEET Paper Leak’History Or Geography’: Indian Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi Issues Stern Warning To PakistanCBI Seeks 14-Day Custody Of Accused In NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case; Pune Botany Teacher Arrested’Misquoted’: CJI Surya Kant Clarifies ‘Cockroach’ Remarks On Unemployed Youth123PhotostoriesArt quote of the day by Vincent Van Gogh: “I dream my painting and I paint my dream”What gardening teaches you about patience, seasons, and slowing down”Not a fan of lassi; I like…” Priyanka Chopra on her favourite Indian drink to cool down in summerThought of the day inspired by the Bhagavad Gita: Why comparison steals peaceYour daily stress may be raising blood pressure silently: Here’s how long work hours, poor sleep, and mental exhaustion are affecting the heart10 baby girl names inspired by flowers and blossomsShakira, Madonna, and BTS to co-headline FIFA halftime show: A look at the top 5 performers of all timeTannaz Irani opens up about marrying an older Muslim man, dealing with mom’s guilt after divorce, and the age gap between her and Bakhtyaar Irani“I can’t be her friend”: Riddhima Kapoor gets real about raising daughter SamaraFrom Will Smith to Emily Blunt: 10 actors who rejected roles that later became iconic123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingRishabh PantNEET PaperIPL Points TableNEET Aspirant DieKerala Board SSLC Result 2026IPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026Bengaluru RapeCBSE 2 Language RuleTS EAPCET Result 2026 IPL 2026 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi not a special project for Rajasthan Royals, but a special player: Kumar Sangakkara All eyes on Jasprit Bumrah’s workload ahead of Afghanistan series NEET UG 2026 re-exam FAQs: NTA explains extra time, complaints process, fees and exam centre allotment ‘Peddi’ director Buchi Babu Sana reveals he rejected three AR Rahman tunes for Ram Charan starrer 20,000-tonne LPG carrier Symi arrives in Gujarat after crossing Strait of Hormuz Pakistan 23/1 in 9.5 Overs | BAN vs PAK, 2nd Test, Day 2 Live Score: Tasin Ahmed removes Abdullah Fazal early EMRS Tier 2 result 2026 expected soon: Check how to download scorecards, once released Top 5 musical performances in the FIFA World Cup “I dream my painting and I paint my dream” Fire breaks out on Thiruvananthapuram–Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express near Ratlam, passengers evacuated R Ashwin backs Virat Kohli over ‘prove yourself’ remarks ahead of 2027 World Cup talks JEECUP 2026 registration ends today at jeecup.admissions.nic.in; direct link to apply here When Megan Fox revealed her ‘super strict diet’ and said, ‘I cut out all bread’ CNG prices hiked again in NCR; 2nd increase in 2 days pushes Delhi rate past Rs 80/kg Candace Owens challenges Charlie Kirk succession story surrounding Erika Kirk and TPUSA future R Ashwin backs Virat Kohli over ‘prove yourself’ remarks ahead of 2027 World Cup talks CBSE admits possibility of ‘evaluation errors’; answer sheet access window opens from May 19 Bulgaria’s Dara wins 70th Eurovision Song Contest: Here’s what the winner took home Love Horoscope Today, May 17, 2026: What the stars say about your love life Did Candace Owens’ producer and manager quit? 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In a post on X, Meghwal said the ordinance amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, raising the number of judges from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India. The decision follows approval by the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on May 5.The government said the expansion is aimed at strengthening the apex court and ensuring quicker delivery of justice at a time when more than 92,000 cases are pending before the Supreme Court. The Cabinet had approved the proposal to introduce the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 in Parliament to formalise the increase.Also read: Number of judges to be increased from 33 to 37Under Article 124(1) of the Constitution, Parliament has the authority to determine the number of Supreme Court judges through legislation. The court’s strength has been revised several times over the decades in response to rising caseloads.The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956 initially fixed the strength at 10 judges apart from the Chief Justice. It was later increased to 13 in 1960, 17 in 1977, 25 in 1986, and 30 in 2008. The last revision came in 2019, when Parliament raised the number of judges from 30 to 33, excluding the Chief Justice of India.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosUnion Minister Bandi Sanjay Hands Over Son To Police In POCSO Case, Says ‘All Are Equal Before Law’Centre Restricts Silver Bar Imports, Changes Status From ‘Free’ To ‘Restricted’Tamil Nadu Cabinet: CM Vijay Takes Home, Sengottaiyan Gets Finance; Check Full List’Modi Ji…’: Rahul Gandhi Demands Sacking Of Dharmendra Pradhan Over NEET Paper Leak’History Or Geography’: Indian Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi Issues Stern Warning To PakistanCBI Seeks 14-Day Custody Of Accused In NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case; Pune Botany Teacher Arrested’Misquoted’: CJI Surya Kant Clarifies ‘Cockroach’ Remarks On Unemployed YouthNetherlands Returns 11th Century Chola-Era Copper Plates To India During PM Modi’s Visit’Jhalmuri Reached Here Too?’: PM Modi Invokes Bengal Polls In Netherlands, Lauds Indian DiasporaRampur Court Sentences Azam Khan To 2 Years In 2019 Speech Case, SP Veteran Faces Fresh Legal Blow123PhotostoriesYour daily stress may be raising blood pressure silently: Here’s how long work hours, poor sleep, and mental exhaustion are affecting the heart10 baby girl names inspired by flowers and blossomsShakira, Madonna, and BTS to co-headline FIFA halftime show: A look at the top 5 performers of all timeTannaz Irani opens up about marrying an older Muslim man, dealing with mom’s guilt after divorce, and the age gap between her and Bakhtyaar Irani“I can’t be her friend”: Riddhima Kapoor gets real about raising daughter SamaraFrom Will Smith to Emily Blunt: 10 actors who rejected roles that later became iconic10 birds with hilariously perverted names and where travellers can find themWhat sparked rumours of Shehnaaz Gill dating cricketer Devdutt Padikkal?9 junk food swaps that can make your diet healthierIt’s not just salt anymore: Why your stressful 10-hour workday could be pushing your blood pressure higher123Hot PicksCBSE class 12 resultUS Iran warPrateek YadavHaryana election resultForeign outflowNEET exam cancelledTamil Nadu assemblyTop TrendingRishabh PantNEET PaperIPL Points TableNEET Aspirant DieKerala Board SSLC Result 2026IPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026Bengaluru RapeCBSE 2 Language RuleRussia Lavrow ‘Patriot’ box office collections day 16: Mammootty and Mohanlal film falls below Rs 10 lakh; worldwide total reaches Rs 79.66 Cr ‘He has held his own among seniors’: Inconsistent RR trust Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as playoff pressure builds Harry Styles kicked off ‘Together Together’ tour in Amsterdam: Full opening night setlist revealed Captagon, drug used by IS operatives, seized in Delhi; Syrian held May 17, 2026, 07:02 IST ‘Raja Shivaji’ box office collection day 16: Riteish Deshmukh’s epic drama eyes Rs 100 crore mark Pisces Horoscope Today, May 17, 2026: Don’t expect easy money Canada reports suspected hantavirus case linked to deadly cruise ship outbreak