Bengaluru: 14 foreign nationals among 19 arrested in CCB raids; drugs worth ₹7.7 crore seized

In a series of coordinated operations, the Anti-Narcotics Wing of the Central Crime Branch officials arrested 19 people, including 14 foreign nationals, and seized 4.904 kg of narcotic substances worth ₹7.7 crore in different raids across the city.

A team of officials raided a location within Suddaguntepalya Police Station limits and arrested a Nigerian woman and recovered 760 gm of MDMA crystals worth ₹1.52 crore. The accused, according to the officials, did not have any valid travel documents and stayed in the city to peddle drugs.

In another operation, the CCB unit raided a residence in B. Narayanapura, Mahadevapura, and detained five local drug peddlers, and recovered 600 gm of hydro ganja valued at ₹60 lakh. The police also seized five mobile phones from them. The accused had rented a house and were peddling drugs on the instructions of an absconding key supplier.

In a similar operation, the CCB officials arrested a woman from Kenya, working at a salon and peddling drugs, and recovered 2.044 kg of MDMA worth ₹4.08 crore from her. Investigations revealed that she had come to India on a tourist visa last year and was working as a hairdresser in Kammanahalli while sourcing drugs from two absconding accused from Nigeria and Tanzania.

Another unit of CCB officials also intercepted suspicious international parcels at the Foreign Post Office under K.G. Nagar limits and seized 1.5 kg of hydro ganja worth ₹1.5 crore. The drugs were concealed inside foreign-brand biscuit and chocolate packets imported from Thailand and France. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered at K.G. Nagar Police Station.

Illegal stay

Meanwhile, in joint operations, CCB teams and Electronics City Division officials raided locations under Hebbagodi Police limits and detained 11 foreign nationals staying without valid passports or visas.

They were produced before FRRO officials and later shifted to the Foreigners Detention Centre for deportation proceedings.

A case has also been registered against house owners Shivarama Krishna, 42, and Sangappa Patil, 35, for renting premises to foreign nationals without following mandatory verification procedures.