Bengaluru Drug Bust: MDMA Worth ₹35 Crore Seized, 8 Arrested in Major Crackdown

Bengaluru police busted an interstate drug racket and seized 17.5 kg of MDMA worth ₹35 crore. Eight accused, including two women, were arrested for allegedly smuggling drugs hidden inside chudidar parcels from Delhi.

In a major crackdown on narcotics trafficking, the Hebbal police station team has busted an interstate drug network that was allegedly smuggling large quantities of MDMA into Bengaluru by concealing the contraband inside parcels of chudidar outfits sent from Delhi. In one of the biggest seizures made at the sub-division level in the city, police arrested eight accused, including two women, and seized drugs worth nearly ₹35 crore.

City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said the operation was one of the largest drug busts carried out at the sub-division level in Bengaluru.

The arrested accused have been identified as Reena Yadav alias Bapi and Dheeraj from Delhi; Obainuju Rita Okeke alias Saniya; Debashish Banerjee alias Debu; Danf Gerald alias David from Gurugram, Haryana; Magreth Lijiniko Chale; Abdul Sammad; and P Mohammed Mansoor from Choodasandra.

Police seized 17.5 kg of MDMA and two cars from the accused. While the initial estimated value of the drugs was around ₹17.5 crore, the Police Commissioner clarified that the current market value was approximately ₹35 crore.

Investigation Began With Earlier Arrests

The investigation began a few days ago after the Yeshwanthpur police arrested two drug peddlers. During interrogation, the accused reportedly revealed details about a larger interstate drug network operating between Delhi and Bengaluru.

Based on the information gathered, a 40-member police team launched an extensive operation under the guidance of Joint Commissioner of Police (West) Vamsikrishna and North Division DCP BS Nemagouda. The operation was led by JC Nagar Sub-Division ACP KS Tanveer, along with Inspector Bhaira, PSI Vinod Jiragale, Shivanand, and Kiran.

Police said the team successfully tracked down and arrested both suppliers and peddlers operating in Delhi and Bengaluru.

Tip-Off Led to Major Breakthrough

Officials said the breakthrough came after police received specific information about an attempt to sell drugs in the city. Acting on the tip-off, police arrested three accused near an apartment on Unnathi Layout Main Road.

Interrogation of the arrested peddlers reportedly led investigators to the main suppliers based in Delhi, who were later arrested and brought to Bengaluru for further investigation.

How the Drug Network Operated?

According to police, the drug racket operated in three stages. Initially, the drugs were allegedly sourced from an international narcotics network and stored in Delhi. The main suppliers were identified as David, a Senegalese national, and Magreth, a Tanzanian national, who allegedly supplied MDMA to the gang.

Police said Reena and Debu were responsible for transporting the drugs from Delhi to Bengaluru by train and bus. Once the consignments reached Bengaluru, other gang members allegedly distributed the drugs to customers across the city.

Investigators also revealed that all financial transactions were carried out online to avoid suspicion.

Drugs Hidden Inside Chudidar Parcels

Police said the accused used an unusual method to transport the narcotics. The gang allegedly concealed the MDMA inside parcels containing chudidar outfits being shipped from Delhi to Bengaluru.

Officials revealed that nearly three kilograms of MDMA were hidden inside the clothing parcels. The accused also reportedly used ironing table boxes to transport the drugs without attracting attention.

₹2 Lakh Reward for Investigation Team

Commending the efforts of the police personnel involved in the operation, Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh announced a cash reward of ₹2 lakh for the investigation team.

He praised the officers for working relentlessly across multiple states to trace and arrest the accused.

“We have instructed officials to intensify operations against drug sale networks. That is why such a huge drug network has been detected even at the sub-division level. The investigation is still ongoing, and more suppliers and peddlers are likely to be arrested,” the Commissioner said.

Another Drug Seizure at Bengaluru Airport

In a separate case, Customs officials at Kempegowda International Airport seized drugs worth ₹3.82 crore from a passenger who arrived from Bangkok on Tuesday.

Officials confiscated 10.92 kg of hydro ganja from the passenger and arrested him in connection with the case.