Bengaluru woman running MDMA network with Nigerian arrested

Bengaluru: In a major crackdown on synthetic drug trafficking, Central Crime Branch's (CCB) anti-narcotics wing arrested a 44-year-old woman accused of operating an MDMA supply network with a Nigerian man, targeting college students, businessmen and IT-BT professionals in north-east Bengaluru. CCB sleuths seized around 3,000 ecstasy pills from the woman and launched a search for the absconding foreign national.
The accused, NK Subhashini, a resident of Puttanna Layout near Marasandra on Bagalur Main Road, was arrested following a tip-off received by sub-inspector Keshavamurthy K on Feb 21. Keshavamurthy and his team conducted a raid at her rented residence and recovered the pills, a mobile phone, portable weighing machine and zip-lock covers.During interrogation, Subhashini allegedly revealed she had known the Nigerian, identified as Lutaya Patrick, for four years. Patrick is said to have sourced the pills either from Nigeria or from other Nigerians residing in Bengaluru. Police said the duo allegedly used the illegal proceeds to lead a lavish lifestyle. Subhashini and Patrick had built a network of local customers, including students, tech professionals and businessmen, selling each pill for Rs 5,000-6,000.Whenever Patrick got orders, he would contact Subhashini on WhatsApp with details of the orders and customer locations. She would then pack the pills in zip-lock covers and drop them off at the designated locations, police said. She'd share photographs of the parcels with visible landmarks and provide her live location. Customers collected the drugs without directly meeting Patrick or Subhashini and communicated only on WhatsApp.Patrick, who has been residing in Bengaluru for nearly a decade, was arrested by Kothanur police in 2018 and is currently out on bail after allegedly skipping court proceedings. In his complaint, Keshavamurthy said Subhashini, who is currently unemployed, joined hands with the foreign national to make illegal money. A case was registered under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Bagalur police station.3,000+ pills foundAt accused Subhashini's rented house in Bagalur, the police team found 620 star-shaped ecstasy tablets weighing 412 grams, 750 skull-shaped pills (490g), 700 S-shaped pills (525g), 930 bull-shaped pills (512g).