A 29-year-old Nigerian woman, Olajide Iyanuoluwa, has been arrested in India for allegedly concealing 121 grams of cocaine—worth approximately Rs 1.20 crore (around N195 million)—inside bread loaves.

Indian authorities have placed Iyanuoluwa in judicial custody and initiated procedures for her deportation to Nigeria.

According to a report by The Indian Express, Iyanuoluwa was apprehended by Karnataka Police for allegedly smuggling cocaine from Mumbai to Bengaluru. Investigations revealed that she arrived in India in 2024 on a student visa and initially resided in Delhi before her arrest.

Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh stated that the arrest followed credible intelligence.

“Based on reliable information that a foreign woman residing at Grace Trust, under the jurisdiction of Varthur Police Station in Bengaluru, was supplying the narcotic drug cocaine to known individuals, the CCB Narcotics Control Wing conducted a raid,” Singh said.

During the operation on Tuesday, police recovered the cocaine and seized a mobile phone allegedly used to facilitate the crime, along with other items.

Authorities further disclosed that although Iyanuoluwa claimed to be a student, investigations revealed she had stayed in multiple locations in Mumbai—including Ghatkopar (Gala Nagar), Ambawadi, and Nallasopara—without enrolling in any college.

Preliminary findings indicate that Iyanuoluwa obtained the cocaine from an associate in Mumbai and transported it to designated locations on his instructions.

“She procured cocaine from her friend in Mumbai and, as directed, transported and supplied it to specific locations, engaging in drug peddling and earning illegal profits. Investigations show she traveled from Mumbai to Bengaluru via private buses, concealing the cocaine in bread wrappers and similar items to evade detection,” Singh added.

Following her arrest, police conducted a follow-up operation near Varthur, apprehending the intended recipient. Officials confirmed that the prospective Nigerian buyer was deported shortly after his arrest.

A police officer noted that the drug cartel recently altered its smuggling routes.

“The cartel, which previously used couriers or postal services to smuggle drugs, changed its methods after raids on courier firms and post offices,” the officer said.

Iyanuoluwa’s arrest adds to the growing number of Nigerians arrested and deported from India for drug-related offenses. Data from India’s Home Department indicate that more than 300 foreign nationals, including Nigerians, have been deported for involvement in drug peddling.