Major Drug Bust: Mangaluru Police Seize ₹75 Crore Worth of MDMA from South Africans
Mangaluru police arrested two South African women and seized 37.878 kg of MDMA worth ₹75 crore. The drugs were smuggled from Delhi to Bengaluru, marking a major breakthrough in local anti-drug operations. The investigation has led to connections with other drug peddlers and highlights ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking.
The Mangaluru police recently arrested two South African women for drug trafficking, seizing 37.878 kg of MDMA valued at ₹75 crore. The police stated that the narcotics were transported via domestic flight from Delhi to Bengaluru. According to Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal, this marks the largest drug seizure by Karnataka police to date.
The arrested individuals are Bamba Fanta, 31, and Abigail Adonis, 30, both hailing from different regions in South Africa. Their apprehension follows a nearly year-long investigation stemming from the arrest of another alleged drug dealer, Hyder Ali, who had previously been found with 15g of MDMA.
As investigations continued, authorities arrested Nigerian drug peddler Peter Ikedi Belonwu, who possessed 6.248 kg of MDMA. Interrogation of Belonwu revealed information about the South African women’s drug operations, as they were reportedly flying to Bengaluru every two weeks to deliver MDMA before returning to Delhi.
On March 14, after receiving a tip-off regarding the women’s arrival, police tracked them as they landed at Bengaluru airport. Following a six-hour observation, authorities executed a raid in Neeladri Nagar, resulting in the arrest of the two women along with the seizure of 37.878 kg of MDMA, four mobile phones, two bags, two passports, and ₹18,460 in cash.
Investigations revealed that during the past year, the women had made 37 trips to Bengaluru and 22 trips to Mumbai for drug deliveries. The police are currently investigating how they evaded security measures at major airports. Commissioner Agrawal noted that Fanta and Adonis have been active in this operation for about 18 months, using fake documentation to facilitate their activities.
In light of their inter-state drug trafficking, the city police plan to involve the Narcotic Control Bureau for further intelligence gathering on the women and their networks. Agrawal commended the CCB team for their significant effort in disrupting this drug operation and announced forthcoming recognition for the team led by Police Inspector K.M. Rafiq.
The Mangaluru police’s successful operation led to the arrest of two South African women involved in significant drug trafficking activities. Their operation, yielding the largest MDMA seizure in Karnataka to date, underscores the ongoing challenges in combating drug-related crime. The investigation’s continuation, including collaboration with national authorities, reflects the police’s commitment to addressing drug trafficking networks.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
