Mangaluru police arrested two South African women and seized 37.878 kg of MDMA worth ₹75 crore. The drugs were reportedly transported on domestic flights from Delhi to Bengaluru. This seizure is the largest in Karnataka’s history, and the police are investigating the women’s extensive trafficking operations.
The Mangaluru police recently apprehended two South African women and confiscated 37.878 kg of MDMA, valued at ₹75 crore. This seizure represents the largest quantity of drugs recovered by the Karnataka police to date. Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal announced this significant development during a press briefing on March 16, 2025, revealing the identities of the accused as Bamba Fanta, 31, and Abigail Adonis, 30.
The arrests stemmed from investigations by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) following the apprehension of a local drug peddler, Hyder Ali, in 2024. Ali’s arrest led to the identification and subsequent capture of Peter Ikedi Belonwu, a Nigerian drug dealer in Bengaluru, from whom 6.248 kg of MDMA was seized. Through interrogations, the CCB uncovered the operation of the South African women who regularly transported drugs from Delhi to Bengaluru.
According to Commissioner Agrawal, the CCB had been monitoring the women for six months. On receiving a tip about their arrival on March 14, officers surveilled the Bengaluru international airport and followed their taxi for six hours before executing a raid at Neeladri Nagar, resulting in the women’s arrest.
In addition to the MDMA, police recovered four mobile phones, two trolley bags, two passports, and ₹18,460 from the suspects. It was revealed that the women had flown to Bengaluru 37 times and to Mumbai 22 times over the past year to deliver drugs, raising concerns about security lapses at major airports.
Both women have reportedly been trafficking MDMA for the last 18 months, utilizing fraudulent documentation. Fanta, who operated a food cart and had entered India on a business visa, has been residing in Delhi since 2020, while Adonis arrived on a medical visa in 2016. Given their extensive operations, the police intend to collaborate with the Narcotics Control Bureau to further investigate the case and identify potential accomplices.
Commissioner Agrawal praised the diligent efforts of the CCB team, led by Police Inspector K.M. Rafiq, in cracking down on this major drug trafficking ring. He also mentioned that an award for the investigation team would soon be announced by Home Minister G. Parameshwara.
In summary, the arrest of two South African women for drug trafficking in Bengaluru marks a significant milestone for the Karnataka police. The investigation revealed their extensive operation involving MDMA deliveries across major Indian cities, highlighting potential security vulnerabilities at airports. The cooperation between local and national law enforcement agencies will be vital in dismantling similar drug trafficking networks in the future.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
