Major narcotics crackdown across airport, Hebbal and Chikkabanavar exposes international drug network
In a major anti-narcotics operation across Bengaluru, law enforcement agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau and Customs officials, have dismantled multiple drug supply chains involving hydro ganja and cocaine worth crores of rupees. The coordinated crackdown spanned Hebbal, Kempegowda International Airport and Chikkabanavar.
Bengaluru: A large-scale drug bust in the city has exposed a sophisticated narcotics network operating across interstate and international routes, with officials seizing hydro ganja and cocaine valued at more than Rs 5.67 crore in three separate operations. Three accused, including a Ugandan national woman, have been arrested in connection with the case.
The crackdown highlights the growing challenge of drug trafficking networks that link Bengaluru to cities like Bangkok and Nashik, raising serious concerns over airport-based smuggling and urban distribution chains.
The coordinated action was carried out by city police, Customs authorities, and anti-narcotics units of the Central Crime Branch. Investigations revealed that drugs were being sourced from international and interstate locations and distributed across Bengaluru’s local markets.
Officials confirmed that the seized narcotics include high-grade hydroponic cannabis (hydro ganja) and cocaine, both of which are increasingly being trafficked through sophisticated concealment methods.
“The operations were based on specific intelligence inputs and targeted key supply chains operating within and outside the city,” officials said.
In the first major operation, police from the Hebbal jurisdiction conducted a targeted raid following credible intelligence inputs. They arrested a long-time suspect, Imran Pasha, who was allegedly involved in the supply of hydro ganja across the city.
Authorities seized 3 kg 180 grams of hydro ganja worth Rs 2.20 crore from his possession.
Investigators revealed that the accused was sourcing narcotics from Nashik in Maharashtra and transporting them to Bengaluru for distribution. Multiple prior criminal cases are also registered against him in different police stations.
“The accused was part of an established supply chain moving drugs from Maharashtra into Karnataka,” police sources confirmed.
In a separate high-value seizure, Customs officials at Kempegowda International Airport intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok, Thailand.
The officials recovered 7.92 kg of hydroponic cannabis worth Rs 2.77 crore hidden in the passenger’s luggage.
The accused was taken into custody immediately, and a case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Intensive interrogation is currently underway to identify international handlers and transit routes.
The seizure has once again highlighted the airport’s role as a critical checkpoint in preventing drug smuggling from Southeast Asia into India.
In another major breakthrough, the Central Crime Branch Narcotics Control Unit conducted a raid in Chikkabanavar, leading to the seizure of cocaine and the arrest of two individuals.
The arrested include Janath, a Ugandan national woman, and Wahab Elvis Younis, who was allegedly acting as a local receiver and distributor.
Police recovered 130 grams of cocaine worth Rs 70.50 lakh during the operation.
Investigators revealed that Wahab operated drug distribution networks in Yeshwantpur and Goraguntepalya areas, while Janath entered India on a business visa and later engaged in narcotics trade. She also has a prior conviction in a Delhi drug case, where she reportedly served a five-year jail sentence.
“The accused foreign national had previously been involved in drug trafficking cases and re-entered the network after serving her sentence,” officials said.
Bengaluru has witnessed a sharp rise in narcotics-related investigations as part of its ongoing “War on Drugs” campaign. In the first four months of 2026 alone, police registered 1,959 drug-related cases, including those against peddlers and consumers.
A total of 2,591 Indian nationals and 21 foreign nationals have been arrested during this period, reflecting the scale of the enforcement drive.
Authorities have intensified crackdowns in recent years, leading to several high-value seizures:
- May 2026 (Rs 35 crore seizure): International ring busted with 17.5 kg MDMA, eight arrested, including Senegal and Tanzania nationals
- May 2026 (Rs 20 crore seizure): Six peddlers arrested in Yeshwanthpur with MDMA and hydro ganja targeting students
- April 2026 (Rs 36.67 crore megabust): 16 arrested, including foreign nationals; 19,755 LSD strips and MDMA recovered
- April 2026 (Rs 27.42 crore seizure): Eight dealers arrested across Hebbagodi and Banaswadi
- April 2026 (Rs 23.63 crore seizure): Cocaine and MDMA supplied to IT professionals and students intercepted
- Nov 2025 (Rs 53 crore airport crackdown): Over 72 kg of hydroponic ganja seized in multiple Bangkok-linked interceptions
- July 2025 (Rs 14.69 crore seizure): Cocaine hidden in soap boxes intercepted by enforcement agencies
- Bidadi villa factory case (2021): Foreign nationals used UV-lit setups for hydro ganja cultivation
- Sandalwood drug raids (2020): Multi-agency crackdown exposed synthetic drug networks linked to elite circles
The latest drug bust in Bengaluru once again underscores the expanding scale of international narcotics trafficking and the intensified efforts of law enforcement agencies to curb the illegal drug trade in Karnataka.
