Police in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh have arrested a Nigerian national, Emmanuel Joy, following the seizure of 57.18 grammes of cocaine with an estimated street value exceeding Rs29 lakh (approximately ₦40.9m).
According to News18 Hindi, officers from the Chandan Nagar police station intercepted the suspect at the IT Park in Sinhasa, Indore, acting on intelligence that she was transporting narcotics from Mumbai to supply local clients.
The arrest followed a routine stop after patrol officers observed the Lagos resident behaving suspiciously in the area.
When questioned by law enforcement, Joy allegedly failed to provide coherent or satisfactory responses regarding her presence and travel, which prompted a physical inspection of her belongings.
A subsequent search of her bag uncovered the illicit substance concealed inside a transparent pouch.
Investigators later established that Joy had entered India from Nigeria on August 14 on a seven-month business visa, subsequently residing in the Bandra East area of Mumbai where she was employed at a hair salon alongside her sister.
During initial interrogations, the suspect reportedly confessed that she acquired the narcotics at a lower cost with the intent of reselling them at a significant markup to buyers in Indore.
Following the discovery, authorities verified her passport, visa, and immigration records to confirm her legal status in the country.
A formal case has been registered against Joy under Sections 8 and 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
She has since been arraigned before a local court, which ordered her remand in judicial custody as the investigation continues.
