Bengaluru: In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, the Bengaluru City Police have arrested 16 persons and seized narcotic substances worth approximately Rs 36.67 crore in a series of coordinated operations across the city, said an official statement on Wednesday.

Among those arrested are four foreign nationals, eight individuals from other states, and four residents, indicating the interstate and international links of the drug network.

Police said the seizures included 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.

Acting on credible intelligence received on different dates, police registered cases and conducted coordinated raids at multiple locations across the city.

The accused were apprehended on various dates, and the contraband was seized from their possession.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that the accused procured narcotic substances at relatively low prices from foreign, interstate, and local sources and distributed them within Bengaluru.

Police said the network primarily targeted the general public, including college students, to make quick illegal profits.

Cases have been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

All 16 accused have been produced before the court on different dates and remanded to judicial custody.

Further investigation is underway to trace the larger network of suppliers involved in the trafficking of narcotics.

The operations were carried out under the leadership of Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh and under the guidance of senior officers, including Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ajay Hilori and other senior officials.

The Karnataka government reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards drug trafficking and stated that strict enforcement action will continue against those involved in the narcotics trade.

The arrests were made by the Central Crime Branch Anti-Narcotics Wing, in coordination with police teams from the North East and North divisions, along with personnel from Bagalur, Adugodi, Chikkajala, HSR Layout, Yeshwanthpur, Jalahalli, and Jnanabharathi police stations.

Bengaluru Police have appealed to the public to support efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking.

Citizens can share information confidentially by calling helplines 1922 or 112.