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NCB Uncovers Dehradun Captagon Lab After Record Seizure, Indian Lessee Arrested

The probe into India’s first major Captagon haul points to a Syria‑linked network using the country as a transit route turned production base.

Overview

  • Investigators traced a clandestine Captagon facility to Dehradun after questioning arrested Syrian national Alabras Ahmed, detained the Indian lessee, and launched a search for a second Syrian tied to production.
  • NCB first moved on May 11 in Delhi’s Neb Sarai, finding about 31.5 kg of tablets hidden inside a commercial chapati‑cutting machine that investigators say was meant for export to Jeddah.
  • Following that raid, officers on May 14 recovered roughly 196.2 kg of Captagon powder at Mundra’s container station, concealed in bags within a sheep wool shipment imported from Syria.
  • Saturday’s announcement by Home Minister Amit Shah said Operation RAGEPILL netted about 227.7 kg valued near Rs 182 crore in what officials called India’s first major Captagon seizure.
  • NCB says the network used India as a corridor for Gulf-bound consignments, and the agency is now mapping overseas handlers, container routes, and hawala funding as ports step up screening.