Central Crime Branch arrest Nigerian national for smuggling cocaine

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) has arrested a 29-year-old Nigerian national for allegedly smuggling cocaine hidden inside loaves of bread to avoid detection.

It was stated that the defendant was Olajide Esther Iyanuoluwa, a native of Nigeria. The woman allegedly cut out the inside of loaves of bread, hid 120 grams of cocaine inside, and packaged them to make the shipment look like ordinary food items, according to police.

Investigators said the accused transported the drugs from Mumbai to Bengaluru in a private bus, using the unusual method of concealment to avoid suspicion during checks. Acting on specific intelligence, CCB officials nabbed him and conducted an extensive search.

Police seized 120 grams of cocaine worth around Rs 65 lakh in the international market.

Investigation revealed that the accused came to Delhi on a student visa in 2024 to study in the university. However, he stayed in areas like Ghatkopar (Gala Nagar), Ambawadi and Nallasopara in Mumbai without enrolling in any college. He procured cocaine from his friend in Mumbai and transported and supplied it to designated places as per his instructions.

Further investigation revealed that he traveled from Mumbai to Bengaluru in private buses and transported cocaine by hiding it inside bread and similar products to avoid detection.

Based on specific information, a team of officers followed Olajide from the bus stop to his friend’s house, where he got off and walked towards his friend’s house with a packet of bread in his hand. Police raided the house and initially found nothing. However, a police officer said that when they checked the bread package the woman was carrying, they saw that the drug was hidden inside the loaf.

Police said a case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 and further investigation is on to ascertain the source of the drugs, the intended buyers in Bengaluru and whether an interstate or international network is involved in the case.

In a similar case, Jalahalli police arrested two drug dealers from Kerala for allegedly dealing in narcotics in the city.

The defendants were identified as Nikhil Raj (30) and Melvin Monsi (23). Acting on a tip-off, the police conducted a sting operation and arrested the duo and seized 247 grams of hydro ganja and 19 grams of MDMA worth ₹26.9 lakh from their possession.

According to the police, the accused were procuring the drugs from Kerala and transporting them to Bengaluru; Here, too, he was allegedly selling drugs to customers in the city. Police said Nikhil, a high school dropout, was working as a taxi driver in the city, while his partner, Melvin, a graduate, claimed to be a social worker.