MDMA drugs seized. (File photo)
Credit: Special Arrangement
Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Crime Branch (CCB) police successfully arrested two drug peddlers, including a Nigerian national, who were involved in the transportation and sale of MDMA from Bengaluru to Mangaluru. A total of 200 grams of MDMA was seized during the operation.
Recently, the Bajpe Police arrested a man named Iqbal for selling narcotics in their jurisdiction. Based on information obtained during the investigation, the CCB sleuths conducted a separate operation and arrested two including a Nigerian national engaged in selling MDMA.
Commissioner of Police Anupam Agrawal said that the arrested are Darshan K G (25), resident of Chandan Nilaya, 10th Cross, Puttanna Shale Road, Puneeth Layout, Andrahalli, Bengaluru North and currently staying at a rented house at Nazarbad 3rd Stage, Mysuru and Chika Joseph Eze (26), a native of Nigeria and presently residing at Bettahalsoor, in Bengaluru. The police have seized MDMA worth Rs 10 lakh, a car, five mobilephones, five debit cards from various banks, seven SIM cards, and a digital weighing scale. The total estimated value of the seized property is Rs 18,25,500. The arrested and the seized items have been handed over to the Bajpe Police for further investigation.
During the investigation, it was revealed that the arrested were operating from Bengaluru, with Darshan coordinating with Chika Joseph Eze to sell MDMA to various individuals in Mangaluru for fetching profits. Chika had arrived in India on an employment visa in May 2023 and was working as a hairstylist in Bengaluru's Yelahanka area. However, he was previously arrested by the Yelahanka New Town Police for drug-related offenses and released on bail about four months ago.
The investigation said that several others are involved in the drug trafficking network, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend them, said the Commissioner.
The operation was led by ACP Manoj Kumar Naik, along with Inspectors Shyam Sundar HM, PSI Sudeep MV, ASI Rama Poojary, and other members of the CCB team.