A 25-year-old Nigerian woman, Ifeoluwa Akinwunmi, is facing the possibility of spending up to two decades in an Indian prison after she was arrested for allegedly trafficking narcotic substances worth over N1.8 billion.
Akinwunmi, who is said to be a hairstylist and nail artist, was apprehended last Tuesday by operatives of the Anti-Narcotics Wing of the Central Crime Branch in Bengaluru, India.
The suspect was arrested at Tarahunase village along Rajanukunte Main Road shortly after she arrived from Delhi.
Indian authorities became suspicious of a bag in her possession, which, upon inspection, revealed 5.325 kilograms of MDMA crystals — a banned psychotropic substance commonly used at parties.
According to The New Indian Express, which broke the story, the illicit drug was concealed among 11 traditional Indian garments known as churidars.
“She was acting as a courier,” a police officer involved in the operation stated. “She came to deliver the consignment to a group of African drug traffickers. We saw four men on two scooters in the area, but they did not collect the package. We arrested her while she was waiting with the bag.”
Investigations suggest that Akinwunmi had claimed to be in India with the intention of starting a beauty salon business. However, the authorities believe her real motive was linked to drug trafficking activities.
She has been charged under Section 23 of India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985, which stipulates a minimum of 10 years and up to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for those found in possession of commercial quantities of banned substances. Offenders are also subject to fines ranging from one lakh rupees (₦1.9 million) to two lakh rupees (₦3.8 million).
In addition to the NDPS charges, Akinwunmi is also being prosecuted under India’s Foreigners Act of 1946, which permits the prosecution and deportation of non-Indians involved in criminal activities.
Her arrest comes barely 48 hours after another Nigerian national, Emmanuel Bediako, also known as Maxwell, was arrested by the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau in a separate drug trafficking case.
Authorities have intensified surveillance and enforcement actions targeting transnational drug networks operating within India, particularly those involving foreign nationals.
An official from India’s narcotics bureau who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “This is part of a broader crackdown. We are working to dismantle these networks and ensure those responsible face justice.”
