Karnataka’s ‘biggest-ever drug haul’, MDMA worth ₹75 crore seized: WATCH

Mangaluru City police seized 37.87 kg of MDMA, the largest quantity ever in Karnataka's history. The seized drugs were valued at ₹75 crore. The operation led to the arrest of two African women involved in an international drug syndicate.

Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal said, “Yesterday [March 15], Mangaluru city police made the biggest ever seizure of drugs in Karnataka police history. From Mangaluru, we have arrested two West African and Nigerian women who were carrying 38 kg MDMA worth 75 crore and we have taken up the case in this regard...”

What led to the historic drug bust in Karnataka

Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal said in a press conference that the operation stemmed from an arrest six months ago.

In September, police apprehended one Haider Ali in Pumpwell, Mangaluru, and confiscated 15 grams of MDMA from him, news agency PTI reported.

Subsequent investigations led authorities to a Nigerian national named Peter, who was arrested in Bengaluru with MDMA worth ₹6 crore.

Further probes pointed to an international drug network with links to traffickers using air routes between Delhi and Bengaluru, he said.

Acting on intelligence, the Mangaluru Central Crime Branch (CCB) police arrested two South African nationals — Bamba Fant (31) and Abigail Adonis (30) — upon their arrival in Bengaluru on March 14. The suspects were taken into custody in Neeladri Nagar, Electronic City in Bengaluru, the senior police officer said.

Authorities discovered MDMA concealed in their trolley bags, alongside four mobile phones, passports, and ₹18,000 in cash.

Police sources indicate that the arrested individuals were allegedly supplying drugs to Nigerian peddlers operating in Bengaluru and other regions. Additionally, they are suspected of using forged passports and visas for travel.

The investigation is ongoing to trace the larger network behind the illicit drug trade, officials said.

(With inputs from PTI)