Two South African women arrested for MDMA trafficking

A court in Mangaluru has placed two South African women in judicial custody after they spent seven days in police custody. They were arrested as part of a major MDMA drug bust. City police are now analyzing technical data to understand the details of the operation. Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal stated that the drug network is likely to be on high alert and inactive for up to six months. He mentioned that their investigation is ongoing and requires detailed technical work. They are reviewing airport security footage and have visited the homes of the suspects. The women are reportedly not cooperating with the police, giving repetitive and scripted answers. Agrawal highlighted that significant groundwork over the past six months has led to this case, but there is still much investigation left to do. Additionally, national agencies like the Intelligence Bureau and Narcotics Control Bureau are seeking information from local police about the case. This drug bust is considered one of the largest in Karnataka, with police seizing 37.8 kilograms of MDMA, valued at Rs 75 crore. Separately, residents and students near the Mangaluru District Jail have faced disruptions due to upgrades on signal jammers in the facility. In response, the jail superintendent met with police commissioner Agrawal to discuss the situation, and authorities will determine the next steps.