Nigerian woman arrested in India with N40.9m cocaine

n n

A Nigerian woman has been arrested in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, with 57.18 grammes of cocaine valued at more than Rs29 lakh (approximately N40.9m).

n

According to a report by News18 Hindi on Monday, the woman, identified as Emmanuel Joy, a Lagos resident, was arrested by Chandan Nagar police after she was allegedly found with the drug near IT Park, Sinhasa.

n

She was reportedly travelling from Mumbai to Indore to supply cocaine.

n

The report said the arrest occurred during heightened police checks ahead of Rakshabandhan and Janmashtami celebrations, when officers patrolling the IT Park Sinhasa area noticed Joy carrying a black bag.

n

“A foreign woman carrying a black bag appeared suspicious,” the report quoted the police as saying.

n

Police reportedly stopped and questioned her, but “her answers were unsatisfactory,” prompting a search in the presence of female police officers.

n

The search allegedly led to the recovery of 57.18 grammes of cocaine concealed in a transparent bag.

n

The seized substance was valued at “over 29 lakh rupees,” according to the report.

n

News18 Hindi reported that “Joy arrived in India from Nigeria on August 14 on a seven-month business visa and was living in Bandra East, Mumbai, where she worked at a hair salon with her sister.”

n

During interrogation, Joy allegedly told police that she purchased cocaine at a low price and intended to sell it at a higher price in Indore.

n

However, investigators are independently verifying her account.

n

A case has been registered against her under Sections 8 and 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

n

Police have also examined her passport, visa and immigration records.

n

Following her arrest, Joy was produced before a court and remanded in custody as investigations continued.

n

Police have expanded the investigation to examine her mobile phone and other digital data in an effort to identify other people linked to the alleged drug network.

n

According to the report, investigators are trying to establish “who purchased the cocaine, who in Indore it was intended to supply, and who else is involved in this network.”

n

The investigation is expected to determine the extent of the alleged supply chain between Mumbai and Indore and whether other suspects were involved.

n n