Drug bust in Bengaluru; 8 peddlers, including a foreign national, arrested, drugs worth ₹27.42 crore seized

In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, the city police have arrested eight drug peddlers, including a foreign national, and have seized narcotics worth ₹27.42 crore from multiple locations across the city.

City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said that the coordinated operation was carried out by teams from Hebbagodi, Yelahanka, Mico Layout, Parappana Agrahara, and Bagalur Police. Acting on credible inputs, the police raided several locations and busted an inter-State and international drug network.

According to officials, the arrested include one foreign national, Emmanuel, 41, along with others from different States. The police have seized a total of 12 kg 91 grams of MDMA, 275 grams of cocaine, 34 kg 802 grams of ganja, and small quantities of gold and cash. Two vehicles and some mobile phones used in the crime were also recovered.

In a major haul by the Hebbagodi Police, Emmanuel was caught with over 12.55 kg of MDMA, 275 grams of cocaine, and other materials worth more than ₹25.63 crore. Separate operations by the Yelahanka and Mico Layout Police led to the seizure of over 21 kg and 6.4 kg of ganja, respectively, and the arrest of additional accused persons.

Police said the accused sourced the drugs from international and inter-State suppliers and sold them to the public, including to college students, at high prices for quick profits. Investigators suspect the arrested were part of a larger network and are working to identify the kingpins behind the racket.

All eight accused have been produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody. Further investigation is under way to trace the supply chain and financial links.