By Gwurld4026 
Major Drug Bust: $8.6M Worth of Drugs Found in India
In a significant drug bust in Karnataka, India, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Mangaluru City Police arrested two South African women for allegedly smuggling 37.87 kilograms of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, valued at approximately ₹75 crore (around $8.6 million).
The arrested individuals have been identified as Bamba Fanta, 31, and Abigail Adonis, 30, both hailing from South Africa. Fanta arrived in India in 2020 on a business visa and was operating a food cart, while Adonis entered the country in 2016 on a medical visa and was involved in the garment business.
This operation stemmed from a six-month investigation initiated after the arrest of Hyder Ali in Mangaluru, where 15 grams of MDMA were seized. Subsequent probes led to the apprehension of Nigerian national Peter Ikedi Belonwu in Bengaluru, from whom 6.248 kilograms of MDMA were recovered. Further investigations revealed that Fanta and Adonis were transporting MDMA from Delhi to Bengaluru by flight for large-scale distribution.
The CCB team, acting on specific intelligence, monitored the movements of the two women upon their arrival at Bengaluru airport. After extensive surveillance, they were arrested near Neeladri Nagar, close to Electronic City in Bengaluru. The seizure included 37.87 kilograms of MDMA in crystal form, four mobile phones, two trolley bags, two passports, ₹18,460 in cash, and other incriminating items.
This seizure is considered the largest in Karnataka’s history, highlighting the extensive network of drug smuggling operations in the region. The Mangaluru City Police plan to collaborate with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to further investigate the case and dismantle the broader network involved in the smuggling and distribution of MDMA in Karnataka.
Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal commended the efforts of the CCB team and indicated that he would recommend appropriate rewards and recognition for their diligent work.
