Bengaluru police have arrested a Nigerian woman for cocaine smuggling after finding drugs hidden inside bread loaves.
In a bizarre attempt to beat security, a 29-year-old Nigerian woman has been apprehended in Bengaluru, India, for attempting to smuggle cocaine inside loaves of bread.
The suspect, identified as Olajide Esther, was intercepted by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) on Tuesday, December 23, while traveling on a private bus from Mumbai.
Upon searching her backpack, officers discovered 121 grams of cocaine, estimated to be worth about Rs 65 lakh. To the surprise of the investigators, the drugs were cleverly tucked away inside hollowed-out bread slices that were packed among her regular food items.
According to the CCB, the arrest followed a period of intense surveillance. Officers had received a tip-off about her movements and were waiting to intercept her the moment she arrived in the city.
Police reports suggest that Esther was an active player in a drug supply chain. She reportedly sourced the contraband from a male associate in Mumbai and was instructed to deliver it personally to another Nigerian national in Bengaluru to avoid the risks of using courier services.
Further investigation into her background revealed a deceptive stay in India. Although Esther arrived in the country on a student visa, she reportedly never enrolled in any educational institution.
Instead, she frequently changed locations in Mumbai and its suburbs to facilitate her peddling activities.
The trail didn't end with her arrest. Based on her confession, the police conducted a follow-up operation in the Varthur area, where they nabbed the intended buyer. Authorities confirmed that the male suspect was deported immediately following his arrest.
A senior investigating officer noted that traffickers are increasingly turning to common household items and food to mask their activities.
A formal case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Meanwhile, the police are deepening their investigation to track down other members of the syndicate.
0 Comments