In one of Bengaluru’s largest drug busts to date, the Narcotics Control Wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) has successfully dismantled an international MDMA crystal drug network, seizing 12 kilograms of the illicit substance worth approximately ₹24 crore. The operation, based on credible intelligence, led to the arrest of a woman identified as Ikeoha, who had been operating in Bengaluru for over five years on a business visa. However, the discovery of 70 SIM cards in her possession raises chilling questions about the extent of this criminal operation.

Authorities suspect that Ikeoha was not just a local dealer but a key player in a broader, transnational drug trade. During her interrogation, she reportedly confessed to inflating drug prices for illegal profits and provided critical leads, including a potential connection to a woman based in Mumbai, believed to be involved in the drug trade. These revelations have triggered an intense investigation into Ikeoha’s suppliers and the role of the Mumbai-based individual.

Ikeoha’s overstayed visa adds an additional layer of complexity to the case, as authorities now face mounting questions about her entry into the country and the legal loopholes that allowed her to operate for so long without detection. While investigations continue into her criminal network, the seizure of drugs and the discovery of multiple SIM cards point to an alarming level of sophistication and organization behind the operation.

The CCB Narcotics team is now focusing on tracking down Ikeoha’s suppliers, uncovering the full scope of the Mumbai connection, and understanding the purpose of the SIM cards, which could provide further insight into the far-reaching nature of the drug ring. As Bengaluru grapples with the aftermath of this massive bust, the real questions linger. how deeply embedded is this network in the city, and what is the true scale of the international drug trade operating under the radar?