A 25-year-old Nigerian woman, Ifeoluwa Akinwunmi, has been arrested in India for alleged drug trafficking after authorities discovered her in possession of 5.325 kilograms of MDMA crystals, commonly known as ecstasy. The seized drugs are valued at over ₹10 crore (approximately $1.2 million or N1.8 billion).
Akinwunmi, who identified herself as a hairstylist and nail artist, was apprehended on Tuesday by the Anti-Narcotics Wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Bengaluru's Tarahunase village, along Rajanukunte Main Road, following intelligence received by narcotics officers.
Details of the Arrest
According to authorities, Akinwunmi had arrived from Delhi carrying a bag suspected to contain narcotics, which she allegedly intended to deliver to a group of African drug peddlers in the area.
"She is a courier. She had come to hand over the drugs to a group of African peddlers. We noticed four men on two scooters in the area, but they did not collect the parcel," an officer stated. "Princess was arrested while standing with the bag."
The bag also contained 11 new churidar outfits. During initial questioning, Akinwunmi claimed she was unaware of the contents and said a friend in Delhi had asked her to deliver it to a man wearing a black hat.
Background and Visa Status
Akinwunmi told police that she had come to India with plans to open a beauty salon and identified herself as the daughter of a Nigerian civil servant, though she refused to share further personal details.
Investigations revealed that she initially entered India on a business visa in October 2021 and later switched to a student visa for a university in Telangana, which she reportedly never attended. Her visa expired in 2022, and she has remained in India illegally since then.
"There are credible leads on her boyfriend in Delhi, who is absconding. She will be taken into police custody for further investigation," a senior officer said, adding that this is her first recorded case in the city.
Akinwunmi, also known by the alias "Princess," has been handed over to the jurisdictional Chikkajala police station for further legal proceedings.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges of international drug trafficking networks and the involvement of foreign nationals in India's illicit drug trade.
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