Bengaluru: In a dramatic turn of events, the Mangaluru City Police successfully dismantled a major drug smuggling operation, culminating in the arrest of two South African women in Bengaluru. The six-month-long investigation, marked by relentless surveillance and intelligence gathering, led to the seizure of nearly 38kg of MDMA worth a staggering Rs 75 crore. The operation not only exposed an elaborate drug trafficking network but also underscored the Karnataka government’s firm stance against the drug menace.
A Tale of Two Smugglers—The arrested duo, identified as Bamba Fanta alias Adonis Jabulile, 31, from Agbovillae, and Abigail Adonis alias Olijo Evans, 30, from Pretoria, had been operating from New Delhi. While Fanta arrived in India in 2020 on a business visa and ran a food cart, Adonis entered the country in 2016 on a medical visa and was engaged in the garment business. However, beneath these seemingly legitimate occupations, the two women were running a highly sophisticated drug supply network.
The investigation revealed a shocking detail: between them, the women had taken 59 flights between Bengaluru and New Delhi in just six months—an extraordinary frequency that raised suspicion. Their movements hinted at a well-coordinated operation where MDMA, a potent synthetic drug, was being transported and distributed on a large scale across Bengaluru and beyond.
The Final Chase—The turning point came on March 13, when the Mangaluru Central Crime Branch (CCB) team, acting on specific intelligence, rushed to Bengaluru. They meticulously tracked the suspects’ movements for hours, waiting for the opportune moment to make their move. On March 14, after nearly six hours of close surveillance, the police swooped in and arrested the duo in Neeladri Nagar, Electronic City, Bengaluru.
During the operation, the police recovered:–38kg of MDMA in crystal form, Four mobile phones, Two trolley bags, Two passports, Rs 18,460 in cash.
A Network Unraveled—The arrest was not an isolated event but the culmination of a broader crackdown on drug trafficking in Karnataka. The investigation originally began when Mangaluru East police arrested Hyder Ali at Pumpwell with 15g of MDMA. This led to the discovery of a vast supply chain, eventually bringing the focus onto Bamba Fanta and Abigail Adonis.
Further digging unearthed their connections with Nigerian national Peter Ikedi Belonwu, who was arrested in Bengaluru with 6.2kg of MDMA. Police suspect that the South African women were smuggling the drugs via air routes from Delhi to Bengaluru and Mumbai, with deliveries being executed in areas such as Nelamangala, Hoskote, and KR Puram.
What made their operation particularly elusive was their use of fake passports and visas, along with their swift return to Delhi—often within 24 hours—after making deliveries. The police are now coordinating with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to trace the origins of the drugs and determine whether they were sourced from within India or trafficked from abroad.
A Major Win in the War on Drugs—The success of the operation earned praise from Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who took to social media to commend the Mangaluru police. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he stated:
“From the very first day we came to power, we took a pledge to build a drug-free society and declared a war against drug trafficking and consumption. A few months ago, during my visit to Mangaluru, I assured the people of the district that we would curb the menace of drugs and ensure a healthy environment. Our government is determined to uproot the drug network spread across the state.”
The Chief Minister lauded the police for averting a potential disaster that could have destroyed thousands of young lives, reinforcing the government’s commitment to eradicating drug trafficking from Karnataka.
The Road Ahead–While the arrests and drug seizure mark a significant victory, the investigation is far from over. Authorities are now focused on tracing the higher echelons of the cartel, uncovering their suppliers, and dismantling the entire network. The role of international syndicates is also under scrutiny, with law enforcement agencies working to identify possible links beyond India’s borders.
The record-breaking drug bust is a testament to the dedication of the Karnataka police and their relentless efforts to safeguard society from the perils of narcotics. As the investigation deepens, one thing is clear: the war against drugs is far from over, but this battle has been decisively won.
