MDMA worth ₹75 crore was seized from two South African women in Bengaluru. The accused, identified as Bamba Fanta and Abigail Adonis, allegedly smuggled the drugs from Delhi to Bengaluru.
Published Mar 16, 2025 | 5:02 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 16, 2025 | 5:04 PM
Seized bags of MDMA; Inset: Bamba Fanta (Supplied)
Synopsis: The Mangalore City Police confiscated 37.87 kg of MDMA worth ₹75 crore and arrested two South African women in Bengaluru. The accused, identified as Bamba Fanta and Abigail Adonis, allegedly smuggled the drugs from Delhi to Bengaluru for nationwide distribution.
The Mangaluru City Police seized 37.87 kg of MDMA worth ₹75 crore and arrested two South African women in Bengaluru, in what they say is the largest drug seizure in Karnataka’s history.
Bamba Fanta (31), also known as Adonis Jabulile, and Abigail Adonis (30), were arrested in Neeladri Nagar in the Electronic City area of Bengaluru, on Friday, 14 March.
In a statement, police said the women smuggled the drugs by air from Delhi to Bengaluru for distribution across India.
The two women, residents of Nawada and Malviya Nagar in New Delhi, were reportedly carrying the drugs in two trolley bags. Police also seized four mobile phones, two travel bags, two passports, and ₹18,460 in cash.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah congratulated Mangaluru police on the drug bust.
“The operation by Mangalore City Police, which led to the largest drug seizure in the state’s history and the arrest of two accused individuals, is commendable,” he wrote in a post on X.
“From the very first day we came to power, we have taken a firm stand to build a drug-free society and declared war on the sale and consumption of drugs. A few months ago, during my visit to Mangalore, I had assured the people of the district that we would curb the drug menace and create a safer environment. As part of this effort, a major drug network has now been exposed.”
ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಇತಿಹಾಸದಲ್ಲೇ ಅತಿದೊಡ್ಡ ಪ್ರಮಾಣದ ಮಾದಕ ದ್ರವ್ಯವನ್ನು ಪತ್ತೆಹಚ್ಚಿ, ಇಬ್ಬರು ಆರೋಪಿಗಳನ್ನು ಬಂಧಿಸಿರುವ ಮಂಗಳೂರು ಸಿಟಿ ಪೊಲೀಸರ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಚರಣೆ ಶ್ಲಾಘನೀಯ. ಸುಮಾರು ₹75 ಕೋಟಿಗೂ ಅಧಿಕ ಮೌಲ್ಯದ 37 ಕೆ.ಜಿ ಎಂಡಿಎಂಎ ಮಾದಕ ದ್ರವ್ಯವನ್ನು ವಶಕ್ಕೆ ಪಡೆದು, ಸಾವಿರಾರು ಯುವ ಜನರ ಬದುಕಿಗೆ ಎದುರಾಗಲಿದ್ದ ಬಹುದೊಡ್ಡ ಅಪಾಯವೊಂದನ್ನು ನಮ್ಮ… pic.twitter.com/dnsKNr7OS0
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) March 16, 2025
The arrests are part of an investigation that began last year. Mangaluru East Police arrested an individual identified as Haider Ali for allegedly selling MDMA at a lodge near Pumpwell. Police said 15 grams of the drug was seized from him at the time.
The Mangalore City Crime Branch (CCB) later took over the case and traced the supply chain to Bengaluru, leading to the arrest of Nigerian national Peter Ikedi Belonwu. A further 6.248 kg of MDMA was seized from him.
Subsequent investigations by CCB officials revealed that South African women were allegedly transporting MDMA by air from Delhi to Bengaluru.
Acting on intelligence inputs, Mangalore Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal led the operation that resulted in Friday’s arrests.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
