Nicki Minaj reportedly arrested for allegedly ‘carrying drugs’ per rapper’s IG Live
Nicki Minaj was reportedly arrested in Amsterdam on Saturday, as captured in an Instagram Live video posted by Minaj and reshared by various fan accounts on X.
The 12-time Grammy nominee appeared to be detained after a video lasting over three minutes showed the rapper discussing her arrest with an Amsterdam police officer. The officer indicated she was being detained “because you’re carrying drugs” after Minaj inquired about the reason for her arrest.
The “Anaconda” rapper denied the accusation, stating, “I’m not carrying drugs.” She insisted on having legal representation, repeatedly saying, “I need a lawyer present” and “no, I need a lawyer present now” when the officer instructed her to get into a vehicle. The officer then appeared to mention, “we’ll get (you to) next show,” to which Minaj responded, “you’re talking about my show? What about it?” according to the Instagram Live video.
Nicki Minaj, who performed on March 1 at the opening night of her Pink Friday 2 World Tour, documented her own apparent arrest on Instagram Live, with footage reshared by various fan accounts on X. USA TODAY has reached out to Minaj’s representatives. In an emailed statement to USA TODAY, Amsterdam Police said, “we cannot provide information on persons older than 18 years. This is because of the data privacy law. Therefore, we cannot confirm anything.”
Minaj is scheduled to perform in Manchester, England, on Saturday, according to her official tour website.
Alleged Sabotage by Amsterdam Airport Security
Earlier on Saturday, Minaj had made waves by claiming that officials at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol were attempting to “sabotage” her tour. In a series of posts on X, she accused the airport of trying to hinder her travel plans. “They’ve been trying everything they can to TRY to stop this tour,” she wrote. “They took my luggage & when I asked where it is they said it’s on the plane. It couldn’t have been, I just pulled up.” Minaj suggested that this was part of a scheme to plant items in her luggage.
While en route to Manchester for her next tour stop, Minaj posted a nearly one-minute-long video of herself discussing the luggage issue with an airport official, who indicated they wanted to “open” her bags. Minaj later posted that “they said they found weed.” She noted that marijuana is legal in Amsterdam.
Minaj attributed the luggage issue to attempts by others to disrupt her tour by forcing her to book new planes frequently. She revealed, “I fired management who I found out for years were adding on 30-50K on my jet & pocketing it.” She also mentioned firing a tour manager recently for similar reasons, stating, “Their goal is to make me late, & to pocket 40K.”
Continued Turmoil and Public Feuds
In addition to her clashes with airport officials, Minaj is known for her public feuds with other female rappers, including Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B. Earlier this year, she lashed out at Megan Thee Stallion in a series of tweets and a diss track, “Big Foot.”
“Swearing on your dead mother when you lie,” Minaj rapped, referencing her rival’s mother. “Cause she was lying on your dead momma.” She also addressed Megan’s 2020 shooting incident involving Canadian rapper Tory Lanez, with lines like “you get shot with no scar?”
Minaj’s diss track followed Megan Thee Stallion’s return to music with her hit single “Hiss,” which saw her reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Minaj’s husband, Kenneth Petty, and her brother, Jelani Maraj, are registered sex offenders, which she referenced indirectly in her lyrics, contrasting her own success with the controversies surrounding her family.
As Minaj navigates these personal and professional challenges, her latest legal troubles in Amsterdam add another layer to her tumultuous year. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely as the story unfolds and Minaj continues her Pink Friday 2 World Tour.
