Nicki Minaj Released After Apparent Arrest in the Netherlands on Suspicion of Exporting Soft Drugs
The Incident and Arrest
Nicki Minaj was released from custody on Saturday after being apparently arrested by Dutch authorities on suspicion of exporting soft drugs. The rapper, whose real name is Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, was traveling from Amsterdam to Manchester, England, for a concert on her “Pink Friday 2 World Tour” when the incident occurred.
According to a translated post on X, police fined Minaj and allowed her to “continue her journey” just before 4 p.m. ET. The arrest led to the postponement of her scheduled performance at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester.
Reaction from Authorities and Fans
Authorities have not officially named Minaj, but a police spokesperson confirmed the arrest of a 41-year-old American woman at Schiphol Airport due to possession of soft drugs. Despite Minaj’s efforts to continue her tour schedule, Live Nation UK announced the postponement, expressing disappointment over the inconvenience caused to fans.
In a social media post early Sunday, Minaj apologized to her fans, explaining the delay and the subsequent postponement of her concert. She shared her frustration over the situation, describing her experience of being detained for 5-6 hours and the subsequent delays in her travel.
Social Media Updates
Minaj took to social media to document the incident, sharing videos and posts detailing her interactions with authorities at the airport. In one video, she questioned why her luggage was being searched after it had already been cleared for the flight.
She expressed her belief that there were efforts to sabotage her tour, citing previous issues with her travel arrangements and the handling of her luggage. Minaj indicated that she has video evidence of the encounter and plans to pursue legal action.
Rescheduled Concerts and Future Plans
Despite the setback, Minaj assured fans that she would reschedule the Manchester concert and provide an added bonus for those who had tickets. She confirmed that the second show in Manchester on Thursday and her performance in Birmingham on Sunday would proceed as planned.
Minaj’s team is considering new dates for the postponed show, with options in June and July. Fans were encouraged to hold on to their tickets, which will remain valid for the rescheduled concert.