Nigerian arrested in India with N1.8bn worth of drug

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A 25-year-old Nigerian woman, Ifeoluwa Akinwunmi, has been arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Wing of the Central Crime Branch in India for alleged drug trafficking.

Akinwunmi, who reportedly works as a hairstylist and nail artist, claimed she had travelled to India to open a beauty salon.

However, PUNCH Metro gathered on Sunday that she was arrested last Tuesday at Tarahunase village, Rajanukunte Main Road, Bengaluru, for allegedly being in possession of 5.325 kilograms of MDMA crystals, estimated to be worth Rs 10 crore (over N1.8bn).

Her arrest came just two days after another Nigerian national, Emmanuel Bediako, also known as Maxwell, was apprehended by the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau for a similar offence.

According to The New Indian Express, the CCB acted on a tip-off and intercepted Akinwunmi as she arrived from Delhi with a suspicious bag. Inside the bag were the drugs and 11 new churidars (traditional Indian outfits).

“She is a courier. She had come to hand over the drugs to a group of African peddlers,” a police officer said.

“We noticed four men on two scooters in the area, but they did not collect the parcel. Princess was arrested while standing with the bag,” the officer added. Punch