Indian police have arrested a Nigerian woman, identified as Imyunel Joy, after allegedly recovering 57.18 grammes of cocaine worth more than Rs29 lakh (about N40.99 million) from her possession in Indore.
The Times of India reported that Joy, a Lagos resident who had been staying in Mumbai’s Bandra East, was arrested on Saturday in the Sinhasa IT Park area during a police surveillance operation.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dishesh Agarwal, said officers deployed to monitor crowded areas during the Raksha Bandhan celebrations became suspicious after they spotted Joy carrying a black bag.
According to the police, officers stopped and questioned her about her presence in the area but became suspicious when she allegedly failed to provide satisfactory answers.
A search of the bag reportedly led to the discovery of a transparent plastic pouch containing cocaine. Police also seized a mobile phone from her.
The authorities subsequently registered a case against Joy at the Chandan Nagar police station under Sections 8 and 21 of India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
During questioning, Joy allegedly told investigators that she had purchased the cocaine at a lower price and planned to sell it in Indore at a higher price.
She has been remanded in custody as investigators question her about the alleged supplier, intended buyers and other people connected to the suspected drug network.
As a foreign national, authorities are also examining her passport, visa, immigration records and details of her stay in India.