Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Nov 19: In a major push against the city’s narcotics network, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Bengaluru police has arrested 19 individuals, including 14 foreign nationals, and seized drugs worth Rs 7.7 crore in a series of well-coordinated raids carried out across multiple locations in the city.
The police operation led to the recovery of 2.804 kg of MDMA crystals and 2.100 kg of hydroponic ganja, marking one of the most significant seizures in recent months.
In the SG Palya locality, officers arrested a Nigerian woman who was allegedly involved in drug peddling. From her possession, police recovered 60 grams of MDMA crystals, valued at roughly Rs 1.52 crore. Investigators said the accused had no valid documents and had been residing in the city for the purpose of supplying drugs.
In a second operation, a house in B Narayanapura, Mahadevapura, was raided, resulting in the arrest of five local drug peddlers. The CCB recovered 600 grams of hydroponic ganja, estimated to be worth ?60 lakh, along with five mobile phones, which officials say will assist in tracing their network. The supplier linked to the group remains absconding, police added.
In yet another raid, a Kenyan woman was arrested with 2.044 kg of MDMA, valued at Rs 4.08 crore. According to the CCB, she had entered India last year on a tourist visa and had been working at a salon. Police said she obtained the drugs from two absconding suppliers from Tanzania and Nigeria.
In a parallel operation, CCB personnel seized parcels containing 1.5 kg of hydroponic ganja from the foreign post office under KG Halli police limits. The parcels had been shipped from Thailand and France, and an investigation is underway to identify the intended recipients.
11 foreign nationals detained for illegal stay
In a joint operation led by deputy commissioner of police (Crime 2) Raja Imam Kasim, along with officials from the Electronic City division, several locations were searched and 11 foreign nationals staying illegally without valid documents were detained. They were produced before the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and subsequently shifted to a detention centre.
Police have also filed cases against homeowners who rented out premises without mandatory verification, a procedure officers say is crucial in preventing criminal misuse of rented properties.
Investigations in all cases are ongoing as the CCB continues its efforts to dismantle the organised supply chains driving narcotics distribution in Bengaluru.