Mangaluru’s Central Crime Branch (CCB) police arrested a Nigerian national and seized 6.310 kg of MDMA, valued at ₹6 crore. This operation, described as one of the largest drug busts in the region, took place on September 29 at a lodge near Pumpwell, under Mangaluru East Police Station.

Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal stated that the operation aimed to disrupt drug sales in the city. The initial arrest was of Haider Ali, a 51-year-old resident of Thokkottu, Mangaluru, who was found with 15 grams of MDMA, worth ₹75,000. A case against Haider was filed at the Mangaluru East police station.

Using advanced technical analysis and intelligence gathering, the CCB traced the drug supply chain back to Bengaluru. This investigation led to Peter Ikedi Belonwu, a 38-year-old Nigerian national living in a rented property in Govinda Reddy Layout, Swami Vivekananda Nagar, Bengaluru.

During the raid on Belonwu’s residence, authorities seized a significant amount of MDMA, as well as several incriminating items. These included three mobile phones, a digital weighing scale, 35 ATM/debit cards, 17 inactive SIM cards, and bank account books from ten different banks. The total estimated value of the seized items was ₹6,00,63,500.

Commissioner Agarwal indicated that the accused was responsible for supplying drugs throughout Bengaluru and into various regions of Karnataka and Kerala. Notably, a case against Belonwu for narcotics sales was already registered in 2023 at the Vidyaranyapura police station in Bengaluru.

Authorities suspect that this extensive drug trafficking network involves multiple individuals. Ongoing investigations aim to uncover further connections and activities related to this case. The CCB remains committed to combating drug-related crimes and ensuring public safety.