Mangalore: The Karnataka Police claim to have busted an international drug smuggling racket by arresting two South African women and seizing 37.87 kg Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) worth nearly Rs 75 crore. This is being considered the biggest drug haul by the Karnataka Police in its history.
MDMA, or Meth, is a synthetic drug, available both as tablets and crystals. The tablets are called Ecstasy and the crystals Molly. Over the last several years, this has turned into a preferred drug, particularly among students and young professionals. The consumers suffer from altered sensations, while feeling more energetic, empathetic and happy. The effects can last for a few hours. Hence, it is also known as a party drug.
Finally, this drug causes severe damage to the central nervous systems of the addicts. A lucky few manage to kick the habit, while others land up at hospitals or rehabilitation centres, with brain damage.
“We were aware of MDMA being smuggled to Mangalore and other parts of the state. This drug was also supplied to other states in the country. We suspected that MDMA was being smuggled into the country from abroad. Finally, an operation was launched by the Mangalore CCB Police. Based on intelligence inputs, we succeeded in arresting the two South African women and seizing the narcotics,” a senior police official said.
The women have been identified as Bamba Fanta (31) and Abigail Adonis (30). While Fanta used to stay at Chanakya Place in New Delhi, Adonis stayed at Malviya Nagar. They had clearly imported the drugs and were visiting Karnataka to sell these to agents involved in the racket.