Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) police have arrested a woman of Ugandan origin for allegedly supplying drugs from Bengaluru to peddlers targeting youths in Mangaluru, seizing 4 kg of MDMA in what officials described as a major breakthrough in the fight against narcotics trafficking.

Major supply link busted

Police said the arrest has led to the exposure of a key supply chain responsible for the steady flow of synthetic drugs into the coastal city. The accused woman, whose identity has not been disclosed pending further investigation, is alleged to have been systematically transporting MDMA from Bengaluru and supplying it to local peddlers operating in and around Mangaluru.

With this arrest, police claim to have dismantled a crucial link in a larger drug distribution network. So far, six drug peddlers connected to the same network have been arrested earlier and are currently lodged in jail.

Drugs sourced from Bengaluru

According to investigators, the accused played a central role in sourcing MDMA from Bengaluru, which remains a major hub for the distribution of synthetic drugs in Karnataka. The contraband was then transported to Mangaluru using various methods to evade detection, before being supplied to peddlers who targeted college students and young professionals.

Police sources said the accused had been under surveillance for some time based on specific intelligence inputs. Acting on this information, CCB officials mounted a targeted operation that led to her arrest and the seizure of 4 kg of MDMA, a quantity that officials say could have been sold in the illicit market for several crore rupees.

Six peddlers already behind bars

Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy, addressing the media, said that six peddlers linked to the same supply chain had already been arrested in earlier operations. “With the arrest of the main supplier, we have been able to establish a clear link between the source of the drugs in Bengaluru and their distribution in Mangaluru,” he said.

He added that the arrested peddlers would be taken into police custody again for detailed interrogation. “We will question them further to identify other associates, financial transactions, and possible interstate or international links,” the commissioner said.

Focus on youth-centric drug trade

Police officials said the network specifically targeted young people, including college students, IT professionals and partygoers. MDMA, also known as ecstasy, is a synthetic drug commonly used in party circuits and is known for its stimulant and hallucinogenic effects.

Authorities expressed concern over the increasing availability of such drugs in coastal Karnataka and said sustained enforcement efforts were being made to curb the trend. “The intention is not just to arrest peddlers, but to break the entire chain — from suppliers to financiers,” a senior officer said.

Legal action and investigation

The accused woman has been booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, which prescribes stringent punishment for possession and trafficking of commercial quantities of drugs. Possession of 4 kg of MDMA falls under the category of a commercial quantity and can attract a minimum sentence of 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment, extendable up to 20 years, along with a fine that can go up to ₹2 crore.

Police are also probing her background, travel history and financial transactions to determine whether she is part of a larger international drug syndicate. Investigators are examining whether the proceeds of the drug trade were routed through hawala channels or shell accounts.

Continued crackdown promised

Commissioner Reddy said the Mangaluru police would continue their intensified crackdown on drug trafficking. He urged the public, especially parents and educational institutions, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. “Community cooperation is crucial in tackling the drug menace. Information from the public has helped us achieve several breakthroughs,” he said.

Conclusion

The arrest of the Ugandan-origin woman and the seizure of 4 kg of MDMA mark a significant success for the Mangaluru City Crime Branch in its ongoing battle against narcotics. By dismantling a key supply line from Bengaluru, police believe they have dealt a major blow to drug networks operating in the region. Investigations are continuing to ensure that all those involved in the racket are brought to justice.