Nigerian Woman Arrested in Bengaluru for Smuggling Cocaine Hidden Inside Bread Loaves
Nigerian Woman Arrested in Bengaluru for Smuggling Cocaine Hidden Inside Bread Loaves
Nigerian Woman Arrested in Bengaluru for Smuggling Cocaine Hidden Inside Bread Loaves
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) police in Bengaluru have arrested a 29-year-old Nigerian woman, Esther Olajide, for allegedly smuggling cocaine concealed inside bread loaves while traveling from Mumbai to Bengaluru.
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Olajide was apprehended on Tuesday, December 23, after CCB officers intercepted a private bus she was traveling in, acting on credible intelligence. During a search of her backpack, officers discovered 121 grams of cocaine hidden inside sliced bread loaves packed among other food items. The seized drugs are estimated to be worth Rs 65 lakh (approximately ₦106 million).
According to police, Olajide had carefully cut open the bread slices and concealed the cocaine inside to evade detection during transit. A senior officer said the suspect was placed under surveillance before being arrested upon arrival in Bengaluru.
Investigations revealed that Olajide was actively involved in drug peddling and had been supplying cocaine to customers in the city. She allegedly procured the narcotics from a male associate in Mumbai and transported them using private buses to avoid scrutiny.
Police further disclosed that Olajide was instructed to personally deliver the drugs to another Nigerian national in Bengaluru to reduce suspicion and bypass courier-based interception. Based on her statement, officers conducted a follow-up operation near Varthur, leading to the arrest of the intended recipient, who was later deported.
“This case highlights how drug traffickers continue to innovate, using common food items and household products as cover,” a senior police officer said.
Authorities also revealed that Olajide entered India on a student visa but never enrolled in any educational institution. She reportedly moved frequently between different locations in Mumbai and its suburbs, including Ghatkopar (Gala Nagar), to avoid detection.
A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and further investigations are ongoing to trace her wider network and identify additional links in the drug supply chain.
Nigerian Woman Arrested in Bengaluru for Smuggling Cocaine Hidden Inside Bread Loaves
