Mangaluru Police Apprehend Two South African Women in ₹75 Crore MDMA Bust
The Mangaluru police arrested two South African women, seizing ₹75 crore worth of MDMA, marking a significant drug bust. The operation was linked to previous arrests and showcased ongoing investigations into drug trafficking activities. Law enforcement is working with the Narcotics Control Bureau to uncover further details about the suspects’ operations.
The Mangaluru Police recently apprehended two South African women and confiscated 37.878 kg of MDMA, a synthetic narcotic valued at ₹75 crore. This significant seizure represents the highest drug value recovered by Karnataka police, as confirmed by Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal. The women, identified as Bamba Fanta and Abigail Adonis, were implicated following in-depth investigations into previous drug-related arrests.
Both women were found to be part of an organized drug trafficking operation that involved flying MDMA from Delhi to Bengaluru approximately every two weeks. Their arrests stemmed from information acquired during the investigation of a Nigerian drug peddler, Peter Ikedi Belonwu, who had been apprehended earlier with a lesser amount of MDMA.
On March 14, following a tip-off about their arrival at Bengaluru International Airport, a Central Crime Branch (CCB) team monitored their movements. After they departed the airport, police followed the suspects for several hours before executing a raid in Neeladri Nagar, leading to their arrest.
In addition to the MDMA, law enforcement officials seized multiple items including mobile phones, passports, and cash. Preliminary inquiries revealed that the accused had made numerous trips to Bengaluru and Mumbai over the past year, raising concerns about security screening processes at these airports. Investigators suspect that the women sourced MDMA from abroad or regions surrounding Delhi.
Mr. Agrawal noted that the accused had been active in the drug trade for about 18 months, utilizing forged documentation to facilitate their operations. The police will collaborate with the Narcotics Control Bureau to gather further information on the suspects and their network. Mr. Agrawal commended the CCB team for their diligent work in dismantling this substantial drug peddling operation, indicating that accolades would soon be presented to the investigators involved.
The Mangaluru police’s recent seizure of a substantial quantity of MDMA from two South African women underscores a vital enforcement effort against drug trafficking. The arrests followed a led investigation into previous drug-related activities and have initiated extensive inquiries into the duo’s operations. Their modus operandi raises significant concerns regarding airport security measures. Moving forward, collaboration with national enforcement agencies will be crucial in tackling such narcotic distribution networks.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
