Bengaluru Police have intensified their crackdown on the city's drug trafficking networks by launching a ‘Mission RISE’ and ‘Bedha Bro’ programme to have narcotic substances worth a total of Rs 55.8 crore seized in a combined operation across different parts of the city. “More than 200 kg of drugs were recovered from all the city departments from police headquarters,” said a police officer.
At least 39 accused individuals have been arrested (8 foreign nationals and 21 people from other states have been arrested). The operation involved the Central Crime Branch (CCB) and 16 police units.
The police operation took place over the past 10 days in different parts of Bengaluru and involved the dismantling of drug supply networks located in different regions of the city.
Drug network targeted across 16 police station limits
Police teams undertook operations across the jurisdiction of Amruthahalli, Girinagar, Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), Yeshwanthpur, Yelahanka, Hebbal, Nandini Layout, Kadugodi, Malleshwaram, Govindapura, Bagalur, Mahadevapura, Mahalakshmi Layout, Begur and Kothanur police stations.
Police seized Rs 17 lakh in cash, 22 mobile phones and five two-wheelers allegedly linked to the drug network during the coordinated raids and investigations.
The seizures were made up of several kinds of narcotic drugs, with MDMA and cannabis accounting for a large portion of the recovered amount.
More than 200 kg of narcotics seized
According to the police, the seizure included:
- MDMA: 21 kg 641 grams.
- Ganja: 184 kg 625 grams.
- Hydro ganja: 4 kg 493 grams.
- Opium: 1 kg 65 grams.
- Cocaine: 738 grams.
- Morphine: 25 grams.
The total value of seized narcotics is Rs 55.8 crore.
The operation underlines the scale and diversity of the illegal drug supply networks being investigated in Bengaluru, with police teams hunting for local distribution channels as well as individuals who are alleged to have links to international drug-related networks.
Rs 28.8 crore MDMA seizure in Amruthahalli case
Some of the biggest breakthroughs came from the Amruthahalli police, who seized MDMA valued at around Rs 28.8 crore in a single case.
Police arrested Aamni Singh, a Delhi local, and Obam, a Nigerian national, in Delhi for the case.
The accused allegedly manufactured the narcotic substance in Delhi before carrying it to customers in Bengaluru. Police believe that the network provided drugs to students and local consumers in the city.
The investigation into that alleged supply chain continues as authorities look for other individuals in manufacturing, transportation and distribution.
Foreign nationals and interstate suspects among those arrested
The arrest of eight foreign nationals and 21 people from outside Karnataka points to the wider geographical links being investigated by Bengaluru Police.
Drug trafficking networks have many layers— procurement, transportation, storage and local distribution. The police actions in several jurisdictions indicate investigators are trying to find and disrupt these interconnected networks and not just the individual street sellers.
The seizure of mobile phones and vehicles will also aid investigators in tracking communications and the routes of transport.
Mission RISE and ‘Bedha Bro’ campaign
The latest crackdown is part of Bengaluru Police's broader strategy to combat drug abuse and trafficking with targeted operations. Under Mission RISE and the 'Bedha Bro' campaign, police units have been conducting intelligence-led operations against suspected drug suppliers and peddlers.
The scale of the latest seizure makes it one of the significant drug enforcement operations reported in Bengaluru, with the authorities recovering narcotics valued at tens of crores of rupees.
Investigation continues
Now with 39 arrests and a huge amount of narcotics seized, investigators are now expected to put a focus on the larger network of drugs in the alleged drug trade. The financial transactions, communication records, and movement of the accused would be investigated to locate the source of the drugs and their intended distribution channels.
The investigation into the alleged Delhi-based MDMA manufacturing and Bengaluru supply network will also reveal whether more individuals were involved.
The Bengaluru police operation underscores the continuing challenge of organized drug trafficking in the city. But authorities are increasingly focusing on interstate and international connections while focusing on local distribution networks to stem the availability of narcotic drugs.
