Nicki Minaj released as Dutch police issue statement over star's arrest before UK concert
The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee have since confirmed that the 41-year-old rapper has been released
by Amy Walker, David Huntley · ChronicleLiveDutch police have confirmed that American performer Nicki Minaj has been released following her arrest earlier on Saturday.
The singer was due to perform tonight at the at the Co-op Live in Manchester, but the gig was thrown into doubt after Minaj posted on X that she had been detained by police for items in her luggage. Fans are said to be still inside the arena awaiting her performance with no word on whether it will be going ahead.
The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee have since confirmed that the 41-year-old rapper has been released after she was arrested earlier this afternoon, the Manchester Evening News reports.
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In a statement on their X account, formerly Twitter, they wrote: "We have just released a 41-year-old American woman who we arrested this afternoon at Schiphol on suspicion of exporting soft drugs. After consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, the suspect was fined and can continue her journey."
Earlier on Saturday afternoon, in a series of social media posts on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram, Minaj, 41, claimed that police said they found drugs in her luggage after items were checked by customs. She wrote that “they found weed” and her security has “already advised them those pre-rolls belong to him”.
Posting from Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, she said 'they're stopping me from going to MANCHESTER' and then posted at 4pm she she had to go to a police station to give a statement. She has not posted since, with her show in Manchester originally set to start at 8pm this evening.
In further posts, Minaj also alleged: “They’ve been trying to stop me from coming to every show. They took my bags before I could see them. Put it on the plane. Now saying they’re waiting on customs.”
She also live streamed what appeared to be a conversation with an officer, who asked her to get into a van so she could go to a police station. “I’m not carrying drugs, I’m not going in there,” Minaj says. She then asks the officer if she is “under arrest” to which the the Dutch policeman replies “yes”.
Minaj is told by another policeman that she will get a “lawyer” and to stop filming, and then gets inside the van. Co-op Live pushed back doors opening until 7pm, but have not said the gig is not going ahead with thousands of fans currently inside the arena.
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