India: Nigerian woman arrested with cocaine hidden in loaf of bread

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) police in Bengaluru, India, has arrested a 29-year-old Nigerian woman for smuggling cocaine by concealing it inside bread loaves. The arrested woman identified as Olajide Esther, was arrested on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 while travelling in a private bus from Mumbai to Bengaluru. The police have seized 121 grams of cocaine worth Rs 65 lakh from her. Esther had cleverly cut open bread slices and hidden the cocaine inside to avoid suspicion. A senior police officer said that based on credible information, a special CCB team kept surveillance on her movements and intercepted her when she arrived in the city from Mumbai. During a search, police found cocaine concealed in a bread loaf that were packed along with other food items in her backpack, allegedly to avoid suspicion while transporting the contraband. Police said the suspect was actively involved in drug peddling and was supplying cocaine to customers in Bengaluru. She allegedly procured the drugs from Mumbai and transported them via private buses. According to senior police officers, Olajide procured cocaine from a male associate in Mumbai and was instructed to personally supply it to another Nigerian in Bengaluru. She was directed to carry the drug herself and hand it over to another Nigerian national residing in Bengaluru. This was done to minimise suspicion and avoid courier-based interception, an investigating officer revealed. Based on her statement, police later conducted a follow-up operation near Varthur and arrested the intended recipient of the drugs. Officials said the prospective Nigerian buyer was deported soon after his arrest. This case shows how traffickers are constantly innovating ways, using common household items and food as cover, the senior officer said. A case under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act case has been registered. Further investigation is underway to trace her network and identify other links in the drug supply chain. According to Times of India, the accused had arrived in New Delhi on a student visa. Investigation revealed she did not enroll with any educational institution. Instead, she repeatedly changed her location in Mumbai and its suburbs: Ghatkopar (Gala Nagar).