17 Arrested, Drugs Valued at Rs 25.23 Crore Seized in Bengaluru Crackdown

In a major crackdown on drug trafficking and the illegal manufacture of tobacco products, Bengaluru Police arrested 17 people , including three foreign nationals , and seized narcotic substances with an estimated market value of Rs 25.23 crore during a series of coordinated raids across the city.

The operations were carried out on different dates following specific intelligence inputs about the sale of prohibited narcotic substances in areas under the Subramanyanagar, Madiwala, Rajajinagar, Whitefield, Tilaknagar, Yeshwanthpur, and Indiranagar police station limits.

According to police, those arrested include three foreign nationals, eight individuals from other states, and six local residents . Cases were also registered over the illegal manufacture of tobacco products in violation of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) .

During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to procuring prohibited narcotic substances at low prices from unidentified suppliers based in foreign countries, other states, and Karnataka before selling them at higher prices for illegal profit. Police said the drugs were supplied to members of the public, including college students .

The seizures included 10.306 kg of MDMA , 127.302 kg of ganja , 3.314 kg of hydro ganja , 300 e-cigarettes , 90 hookah flavour packs , 30 hookah pots along with hookah stands and bowls , foreign cigarette packs, and various tobacco products allegedly manufactured in violation of the COTPA Act. Officers also confiscated seven mobile phones, one car, and six two-wheelers .

Police estimated the value of the seized property, excluding the narcotics, at Rs 12.85 crore , while the narcotic substances alone were valued at Rs 25.23 crore .

Authorities said efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the unidentified suppliers linked to the network. Further investigation into the case is ongoing.