New Delhi : 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. Shah said the drugs were to be smuggled into Gulf countries. A foreign national, believed to be a Syrian, has also been arrested.
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 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. 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.
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.
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