Bengaluru drug racket busted: 16 arrested, narcotics worth ₹36.67 crore seized
Synopsis
Bengaluru City Police dismantled a sprawling drug network spanning foreign countries and multiple Indian states, arresting 16 persons and seizing ₹36.67 crore worth of narcotics — including MDMA, LSD strips, heroin, and cocaine. The network reportedly had college students in its crosshairs, underscoring a deepening urban drug crisis in one of India's fastest-growing cities.
Key Takeaways
Bengaluru City Police arrested 16 persons and seized narcotics worth ₹36.67 crore in coordinated raids announced on 29 April 2025 .
Among the arrested are four foreign nationals , eight individuals from other states , and four Bengaluru residents .
Seized substances include 9.64 kg of MDMA , 19,755 LSD strips , 332 grams of cocaine , 156 grams of heroin , and 11.47 kg of ganja , among others.
The network reportedly targeted college students and the general public for quick illegal profits.
Operations led by Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh and ACP (Crime) Ajay Hilori under the Central Crime Branch Anti-Narcotics Wing .
All 16 accused remanded to judicial custody ; further investigation underway to trace the larger supplier network.
Bengaluru City Police have arrested 16 persons and seized narcotic substances worth approximately ₹36.67 crore in a series of coordinated operations across the city, according to an official statement released on Wednesday, 29 April 2025. The crackdown, led by the Central Crime Branch Anti-Narcotics Wing, dismantled an interstate and international drug network that was reportedly targeting college students and the general public.
Who Was Arrested
Among the 16 accused, four are foreign nationals, eight are individuals from other Indian states, and four are Bengaluru residents. The mix of nationalities and origins points to a multi-layered supply chain with both cross-border and domestic links. All 16 have been produced before a court on different dates and remanded to judicial custody.
What Was Seized
The contraband recovered includes 9.64 kg of MDMA, 5.195 kg of hydro ganja, 19,755 LSD strips, 156 grams of heroin, 618 grams of charas, 332 grams of cocaine, 315 grams of drug-infused gummies, and 11.47 kg of ganja. The variety of substances seized suggests the network was catering to multiple consumer segments across the city.
How the Network Operated
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the accused procured narcotic substances at relatively low prices from foreign, interstate, and local sources before distributing them within Bengaluru. According to police, the network primarily targeted college students and the general public to generate quick illegal profits. Cases have been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Leadership and Coordination
The operations were carried out under the leadership of Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh and under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ajay Hilori, along with other senior officials. Raids were conducted in coordination with police teams from the North East and North divisions, and personnel from Bagalur, Adugodi, Chikkajala, HSR Layout, Yeshwanthpur, Jalahalli, and Jnanabharathi police stations.
Government Stand and Public Appeal
The Karnataka government reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards drug trafficking, stating that strict enforcement action will continue against those involved in the narcotics trade. Bengaluru Police have appealed to citizens to support anti-drug efforts and share information confidentially by calling helplines 1922 or 112. Further investigation is underway to trace the larger network of suppliers involved in the trafficking of narcotics.
Point of View
Mirroring patterns seen in Mumbai and Delhi. The presence of four foreign nationals in the supply chain raises uncomfortable questions about port-of-entry surveillance and international courier networks that local police alone cannot plug. More troubling is the deliberate targeting of college students: this is not opportunistic street dealing but a structured market-development strategy. Karnataka's zero-tolerance declaration is politically necessary, but the real accountability test is whether the investigation travels up the supply chain to the foreign and interstate kingpins — or stops, as it often does, at the last-mile distributors.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much narcotics were seized in the Bengaluru drug bust?
Bengaluru City Police seized narcotic substances worth approximately ₹36.67 crore in a series of coordinated operations across the city. The haul included 9.64 kg of MDMA, 19,755 LSD strips, 332 grams of cocaine, 156 grams of heroin, and 11.47 kg of ganja, among other substances.
Who were arrested in the Bengaluru drug racket crackdown?
A total of 16 persons were arrested, including four foreign nationals, eight individuals from other Indian states, and four Bengaluru residents. All 16 have been produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.
Which police unit conducted the Bengaluru drug raids?
The operations were carried out by the Central Crime Branch Anti-Narcotics Wing, in coordination with teams from the North East and North divisions and personnel from several Bengaluru police stations. The raids were led by Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh and ACP (Crime) Ajay Hilori.
Who did the drug network target in Bengaluru?
According to preliminary interrogation, the accused primarily targeted college students and the general public to generate quick illegal profits. The network sourced narcotics at low prices from foreign, interstate, and local suppliers before distributing them within Bengaluru.
How can citizens report drug-related information to Bengaluru Police?
Bengaluru Police have urged citizens to share information confidentially by calling helplines 1922 or 112. The Karnataka government has also reiterated its zero-tolerance policy and stated that strict enforcement will continue against those in the narcotics trade.
