African women arrested with drugs: In a significant drug bust, touted as the largest ever by Karnataka State Police, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of Mangaluru City Police arrested two African women and seized 37.87 kg of MDMA, valued at approximately Rs 75 crore.
While some reports claimed that the arrested women were Nigerian nationals, *Times of India* identified them as Bamba Fanta, also known as Adonis Jabulile, 31, from Agbovillae, South Africa, currently residing in Vipin Garden, Nawada, New Delhi, and Abigail Adonis, also known as Olijo Evans, 30, from Pretoria, South Africa, residing in Malviya Nagar, New Delhi.
Speaking to the press on Sunday, March 16, 2025, City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal stated that the arrests resulted from a six-month-long investigation that had earlier led to the capture of Nigerian national Peter Ikedi Belonwu, a suspected member of the drug smuggling and distribution network.
According to police reports, Fanta entered India in 2020 on a business visa and was operating a food cart, while Adonis arrived in 2016 on a medical visa and was involved in the garment business.
Authorities seized two trolley bags, two passports, Rs 18,460 in cash, and other incriminating materials from the women.
Still on African women arrested with drugs:
The accused were allegedly transporting crystal MDMA from Delhi to Bengaluru by flight for large-scale distribution. They were apprehended near Neeladri Nagar, close to Electronic City, Bengaluru.
The operation, led by CCB ACP Manoj Kumar, followed the arrest of Hyder Ali at Pumpwell by Mangaluru East Police, where 15 grams of MDMA was confiscated. Further investigations by the CCB traced the supply chain to Bengaluru, leading to the arrest of Nigerian national Peter Ikedi Belonwu, from whom 6.248 kg of MDMA was recovered.
Subsequent inquiries uncovered that the South African women had been smuggling MDMA via air routes between Delhi and Bengaluru, prompting authorities to closely monitor their movements.
On March 13, acting on specific intelligence, a CCB team traveled to Bengaluru and began tracking the suspects. Upon their arrival at the airport the following day, they were kept under surveillance for five to six hours as officers attempted to identify other members of the syndicate.
Eventually, they were arrested on March 14 at Neeladri Nagar, Bengaluru.
Preliminary findings indicate that the duo was supplying MDMA to Nigerian nationals and other individuals in Nelamangala, Hosakote, and KR Puram, funding their extravagant lifestyle.
Investigators also discovered that they had been using forged passports and visas and would return to Delhi within 24 hours of making deliveries. Authorities are still investigating whether the MDMA was sourced locally or trafficked from outside India.
The commissioner further disclosed that in the past six months, the pair had traveled between Delhi and Bengaluru 59 times.
They have reportedly admitted to their involvement in drug trafficking for over a year and a half.
Given the scale of the operation and the interstate network involved, Mangaluru City Police will coordinate with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for a deeper probe into the case.
Commissioner Anupam Agrawal also stated that he would recommend a special reward for the investigating team to the Home Minister and propose the Chief Minister’s Medal in recognition of their efforts.
DCPs Sidharth Goyal and K. Ravishankar, ACP Manoj Kumar, and other CCB personnel were present at the press briefing.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to dismantle the entire network behind the smuggling and distribution of MDMA in Karnataka.
NDLEA seizes cocaine and opioids concealed in prayer beads and other items
Would you like to Earn Money Online with just your mobile device?
If yes then click on the link below:
https://earnbean.ng/
