Detectives from the Central Crime Branch of the Indian police have arrested a 29-year-old Nigerian national for alleged cocaine trafficking after uncovering the drug concealed inside bread loaves.
According to The Times of India on Tuesday, operatives recovered 121 grams of cocaine valued at about ₹1.2 crore from the suspect, underscoring what authorities described as a growing tactic of using everyday food items to smuggle narcotics.
The suspect, identified as Olajide Esther Iyanuoluwa, reportedly arrived in New Delhi last year on a student visa. Investigations, however, revealed that she never enrolled in any educational institution.
Police said Olajide frequently changed residences across parts of Mumbai and its suburbs, including Ghatkopar, Ambawadi and Nallasopara, where she allegedly engaged in drug trafficking activities.
Senior officers disclosed that the cocaine was sourced from a male associate in Mumbai and that Olajide was instructed to personally deliver the drugs to another Nigerian national in Bengaluru.
“She was directed to carry the drug herself and hand it over to another Nigerian national residing in Bengaluru. This was done to minimise suspicion and avoid courier-based interception,” an investigating officer revealed.
The Central Crime Branch reportedly swung into action after receiving intelligence that a Nigerian woman was travelling by a private bus from Mumbai to Bengaluru and planned to meet a local drug dealer near Varthur. She was arrested shortly after arriving in the city.
A search of her belongings led to the discovery of cocaine hidden inside bread loaves packed with other food items in her backpack. Police said holes had been drilled into the loaves to conceal the drugs.
Following her arrest, a subsequent operation was carried out near Varthur, leading to the arrest of the intended recipient. Authorities said the Nigerian buyer was deported shortly after.
“The case shows how traffickers are constantly innovating ways, using common household items and food as cover,” a senior officer said, adding that surveillance on interstate drug trafficking networks had been intensified.
Police said investigations were ongoing to dismantle the wider supply chain and identify other collaborators involved in the operation.