India authorities on Thursday arrested a Nigerian woman, Doris Etumudon with cocaine hidden inside her bag while the baby bag for the Infant she carried on her back was filled with methamphetamine with street value for both illicit-drugs estimated to be Rs 36 crore which is equivalent to 6.3 billion naira.
One of the India based news media, Mid Day, reported that; “In a major crackdown on drug trafficking, officials from Central Railway’s RPF, NCB, and CIB seized narcotics worth ₹36 crore from the Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Mangala Express at Panvel Station on Thursday.
Acting on a tip-off from NCB Bangalore, the joint team intercepted Nigerian national, Etumudon Doris, who was traveling with an infant. During the search, 2.002 kg of cocaine was found in her travel bag, while a child’s bag contained 1.488 kg of methamphetamine disguised in food packages.
The drugs tested positive using a detection kit. Doris was taken into custody, and the seized contraband was handed over to NCB for further legal action”.
The India Railway Protection Force, RPF in a statement during the preceding week said that the drug seized at the Panvel Railway station near Mumbai as part of a major crackdown on illicit drugs, is worth over Rs 36 crore .
According to reports, the drugs were seized in a joint operation by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) Panvel, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Bengaluru, and the Crime Intelligence Branch (CIB) Kurla, Mumbai.
The crackdown took place after NCB tipped off authorities about a possible smuggling attempt on the Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Mangala Express train which was scheduled to arrive at Panvel Railway Station on Friday, July 19, 2025.
Responding to the information, a team was quickly formed. As the train reached platform number 7, the team found the Nigerian woman, who identified herself as Etumudon Doris and was travelling with an infant whom she claimed was her child.
Upon questioning, the officials said, the woman confessed to being in possession of the narcotics.
The team took her to the RPF post, where they found two rectangular black packages labeled “Vintage” in her multicoloured travel bag.
When tested, the substance inside both packages was confirmed to be cocaine, together weighing 2.002 kg. They also seized methamphetamine, weighing 1.488 kg from her.
Murari Lal, Junior Intelligence Officer, said NCB Bengaluru, officially took custody of the seized narcotics. The woman has been booked in connection with the seizure and further probe is underway.
SaharaReporters had on December 19, 2024 reported that a Nigeria woman was arrested in India for drug trafficking.
In quotes, the media stated that; “A 40-year-old Nigerian woman has been arrested by the Anti-Narcotics wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Bengaluru, India, on charges of drug trafficking.
Authorities recovered 12 kilograms of MDMA, a potent narcotic, from her possession.
The suspect, identified as Roselime Oluchi Ikeoha, was allegedly using a grocery shop she has operated in TC Palya for the past five years to peddle drugs to her customers.
A statement released by City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda on Tuesday, confirmed the arrest and described it as one of the largest drug busts in the city.
Investigators suspect the grocery store served as a front for Ikeoha’s drug peddling activities. Acting on credible information, the CCB Narcotics team raided her premises and detained her.
“This is one of the biggest drug seizures in Bengaluru and Karnataka,” Dayananda said.
“The Narcotics Control Wing of the CCB team successfully dismantled an MDMA crystal drug network, which is international in scope. They recovered 12 kg of pure white and yellow MDMA, with a total value of approximately ₹24 crore.”
Dayananda also revealed that Ikeoha, who arrived in Bengaluru on a business visa five years ago, had overstayed as her visa had expired.
Hindustan Times report that during interrogation, Ikeoha reportedly confessed to her involvement in illegal activities, including drug sales.
“She admitted to making illegal money by selling drugs at inflated prices,” Dayananda said.
“An investigation is now underway to identify Ikeoha’s suppliers and uncover the role of a Mumbai-based woman believed to be connected to the network. After her arrest, the CCB Narcotics team interrogated her, gathered information, and seized 12 kg of drugs. We are now searching for the supplier,” Dayananda added.
“Further investigations will focus on identifying the Mumbai woman, understanding the reason behind the 70 SIM cards found in her possession, and determining where the drugs were sourced,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the case has been filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Foreigners Act”.