Nigerian Student Arrested in India for Allegedly Smuggling Cocaine in Food Items

Indian law enforcement authorities have apprehended a 29-year-old Nigerian national, Olajide Esther Iyanuoluwa, for her alleged involvement in a high-value drug trafficking operation.

According to the Central Crime Branch (CCB), Iyanuoluwa was intercepted while traveling via a private bus from Mumbai to Bengaluru. Upon a detailed search of her belongings, officers discovered cocaine valued at approximately ₹1.2 crore (₦195 million) concealed within hollowed-out loaves of bread packed inside her backpack.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect entered India in 2024 on a student visa. However, authorities state she had not enrolled in any academic institution. It is alleged that she sourced the narcotics from an associate in Mumbai and was tasked with delivering the shipment to a contact in Bengaluru. The intended recipient, also a Nigerian national, has since been arrested and processed for deportation.

The CCB noted that this incident underscores an increasing trend of traffickers utilizing everyday grocery items to bypass security measures. "The suspect utilized sophisticated methods of concealment to evade detection, but intelligence-led operations successfully disrupted the delivery," an official statement read.

Iyanuoluwa is currently held in judicial custody as Indian authorities conclude investigations and finalize deportation proceedings. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and local police have reiterated their commitment to a zero-tolerance policy regarding international drug trafficking.