Mangaluru Police Arrest Two South Africans in Major MDMA Drug Seizure
Mangaluru police arrested two South African women in Bengaluru, seizing ₹75 crore worth of MDMA. The women are linked to a larger drug trafficking network and had been flying to India regularly to deliver drugs. Their activities were under investigation following prior drug-related arrests. Authorities plan to collaborate with the Narcotics Control Bureau for further inquiries.
The Mangaluru police reported the arrest of two South African women, Bamba Fanta (31) and Abigail Adonis (30), and the seizure of 37.878 kg of MDMA valued at ₹75 crore. This significant amount, recently confiscated in Bengaluru, marks the largest drug seizure by Karnataka police to date, as confirmed by Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal. The two women reportedly transported MDMA from Delhi to Bengaluru via domestic flights, targeting local drug peddlers.
The investigation into their activities stemmed from an earlier arrest of an alleged drug peddler named Hyder, who had been found with 15 grams of MDMA in 2024. His information led to the apprehension of another suspect, Peter Ikedi Belonwu, a Nigerian, who was in possession of 6.248 kg of the drug. It was during the questioning of Mr. Belonwu that the police uncovered the involvement of the South African women in this drug trafficking operation.
The CCB had been monitoring the women closely for six months, following their suspected flights from South Africa to deliver MDMA. After receiving a tip-off about their arrival on March 14, a tactical team intercepted them at Bengaluru airport. Shortly after landing, they attempted to deliver the drugs to local associates. The police seized not only the MDMA but also mobile phones, bags, passports, and cash from the women.
Investigations revealed that the women have conducted 37 trips to Bengaluru and 22 trips to Mumbai over the past year for drug deliveries. Authorities are still determining how they consistently bypassed airport security. Fanta and Adonis have been linked to the MDMA trade for 18 months, allegedly using counterfeit passports and visas.
Fanta entered India in 2020 on a business visa, while Adonis arrived on a medical visa in 2016 and is involved in selling ready-made clothes. Due to the extensive scale of their operations, the local police will collaborate with the Narcotics Control Bureau to further investigate their network. Commissioner Agrawal commended the CCB team for their diligent work in uncovering this major drug trafficking ring, citing the contributions of various officers and indicating that an award for their efforts will be announced soon.
The proactive actions taken by the Mangaluru police have led to significant developments in the fight against drug trafficking. The arrests of Bamba Fanta and Abigail Adonis, along with the substantial seizure of MDMA, highlight the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in curbing narcotics distribution, particularly in inter-state operations. The collaboration with national agencies will be crucial in dismantling larger networks involved in such illicit activities.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
