A Nigerian woman has been arrested in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, after police allegedly recovered 57.18 grammes of cocaine valued at more than Rs29 lakh, approximately N40.9 million, from her possession.
The woman, identified as Emmanuel Joy, a resident of Lagos, was arrested by the Chandan Nagar police after she was allegedly found carrying the substance near IT Park, Sinhasa, according to a report by News18 Hindi on Monday.
Police said Joy had reportedly travelled from Mumbai to Indore to supply the cocaine.
The arrest was made during intensified security checks ahead of the Rakshabandhan and Janmashtami celebrations. Officers patrolling the IT Park, Sinhasa area reportedly became suspicious after noticing Joy carrying a black bag.
“A foreign woman carrying a black bag appeared suspicious,” police were quoted as saying.
According to the report, officers stopped and questioned Joy, but became dissatisfied with her responses. Female police officers were subsequently called to conduct a search, during which the cocaine was allegedly found concealed in a transparent bag.
The seized substance was valued at more than Rs29 lakh, police said.
News18 Hindi reported that Joy entered India from Nigeria on August 14 on a seven-month business visa and had been living in Bandra East, Mumbai, where she reportedly worked at a hair salon with her sister.
During questioning, Joy allegedly told investigators that she bought the cocaine at a lower price and intended to sell it at a higher price in Indore. Police, however, said they were independently verifying the claim.
A case has been registered against her under Sections 8 and 21 of India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
Police have also examined her passport, visa and immigration records as part of the investigation.
Following her arrest, Joy was produced before a court and remanded in custody as investigators continued their probe.
Police have expanded the investigation to include an examination of her mobile phone and other digital records in an effort to identify people who may be connected to the alleged drug network.
Investigators are also seeking to establish who allegedly supplied the cocaine, its intended recipient in Indore and whether other individuals were involved in the suspected network.
The investigation is expected to shed more light on the alleged supply chain between Mumbai and Indore and determine whether additional suspects are involved.
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