Bengaluru: In one of the city’s biggest recent drug hauls, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) and local police jointly seized narcotics worth over ₹23 crore in Bengaluru, arresting five individuals, including a Sudanese national. The seizure, spread across three separate cases, underscores the growing concern over transnational drug trafficking networks operating in the city.
Multi-location operations
According to officials, over 15 kg of narcotic substances were recovered during the operations. The seized drugs included MDMA, hashish oil, and hydro ganja—commonly trafficked substances within party circuits and online networks. The coordinated raids were carried out at multiple locations across Bengaluru, following intelligence inputs on the distribution of synthetic and imported drugs.
A senior police officer said the CCB’s Narcotics Control Division worked in close coordination with the city’s special teams and canine squads. “Our narcotics unit has been monitoring certain networks linked to foreign suppliers. The seizure is a major breakthrough against organised drug trafficking rings,” the officer stated.
Foreign link and postal route exposed
The most significant discovery came from parcels traced to the International Post Office at K G Nagar, where a sniffer dog detected suspicious consignments. These packages, shipped from Thailand, contained hydro ganja concealed among legitimate goods. Investigators believe the narcotics were routed through international courier channels to evade detection.
The arrested accused include both Indian nationals and a Sudanese woman, believed to have played a key role in facilitating communication between local distributors and foreign suppliers. Police said the gang used encrypted messaging platforms to coordinate deliveries and payments.
Part of a larger network
Investigations are underway to determine whether the group is linked to earlier seizures involving similar substances. Officials suspect that Bengaluru has become a target hub for international traffickers due to its growing expatriate population and online delivery systems.
The CCB has intensified surveillance on international courier facilities and border entry points after the bust. “We are now analysing data from seized devices and financial transactions to identify higher-level operators,” a police source said.
Crackdown continues
The seized drugs have been sent for forensic examination. Police have registered cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Authorities said further arrests are likely as investigations expand into the supply chain.
This latest bust adds to a series of major seizures made in Bengaluru over the past year, indicating both increased enforcement and the persistent challenge of narcotics infiltration. Law enforcement agencies have reiterated their commitment to dismantling such transnational operations to ensure the safety of urban communities.