Mangaluru Police Seize ₹75 Crore Worth of MDMA, Arrest Two South Africans

The Mangaluru police arrested two South African women, seizing 37.878 kg of MDMA worth ₹75 crore, marking the largest drug bust in Karnataka. The arrests follow a series of investigations into local drug peddlers and highlight the operational patterns of international drug trafficking. Authorities aim to uncover further associates tied to this case through collaborative efforts with the Narcotics Control Bureau.

The Mangaluru police have successfully apprehended two South African women in connection with a significant drug smuggling operation. The authorities seized 37.878 kg of MDMA, valued at ₹75 crore, which had reportedly been transported via domestic flight from Delhi to Bengaluru. This incident marks the largest drug seizure recorded by Karnataka police, as stated by Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal.

The arrested individuals, identified as Bamba Fanta alias Adonis Jabulile, 31, and Abigail Adonis alias Olijo Evans, 30, both hail from South Africa. Their arrest emerged from ongoing investigations by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) into the activities of another suspected drug peddler, Hyder alias Hyder Ali, who had previously been apprehended in 2024.

Following information gathered from Ali, the CCB arrested Peter Ikedi Belonwu, a Nigerian suspected of drug trafficking, who was found with 6.248 kg of MDMA. During the investigation, authorities learned of the two South African women’s routine trips to Bengaluru, where they would deliver MDMA to local peddlers before returning to Delhi, often within 24 hours.

For six months, the CCB monitored the operations of these women. Following a tip-off regarding their arrival on March 14, 2025, a team of officers executed a planned surveillance operation at the Bengaluru International Airport. They tracked the women for approximately six hours before executing a raid in Neeladri Nagar, Electronics City, where the arrests were made.

In addition to the substantial drug seizure, police recovered four mobile phones, two trolley bags, two passports, and an amount of ₹18,460 from the suspects. Initial interrogations revealed the pair had made a total of 37 flights to Bengaluru and 22 flights to Mumbai over the preceding year to facilitate drug deliveries. The police are investigating the methods that allowed them to elude security at major airports.

Mr. Agrawal reported that the suspects had been operating in the drug trade for approximately 18 months, allegedly utilizing fake passports and visas. Fanta, who claims to run a food cart business, entered India under a business visa in 2020, while Adonis traveled on a medical visa in 2016. Given the scale of their activities, local police will collaborate with the Narcotics Control Bureau to gather further intelligence.

The successful operation was acknowledged by Mr. Agrawal, who commended the diligent efforts of the CCB team led by Police Inspector K.M. Rafiq, consisting of various ranks of officers. A commendation for the team from Home Minister G. Parameshwara will be announced shortly.

The arrest of the two South African women marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in Karnataka. The authorities have successfully dismantled a major operation responsible for large quantities of MDMA being smuggled into India. Continuous surveillance and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies will be critical in addressing the broader drug trafficking concerns moving forward. This case may lead to uncovering further networks and collaborators involved in the drug trade.

Original Source: www.thehindu.com