Nicki Minaj released after arrest by police but too late as Co-op Live Arena concert is cancelled

Rapper Nicki Minaj was arrested in Amsterdam for allegedly 'carrying drugs' just hours before she was set to take to the stage at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester

by · Irish Mirror

Nicki Minaj has been released following her arrest in Amsterdam just hours before she was due to go on stage in Manchester.

The 41-year-old rapper was set to perform at Co-op Live Arena thins evening as part of her Pink Friday 2 Tour. However, the show was cancelled after she was arrested for allegedly "carrying drugs" while travelling from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

A statement from the National Police Corps said a woman, 41, was arrested after allegedly trying to take soft drugs from Schiphol Airport to another country. An update from the Dutch force at around 9pm stated that it had released their "suspect and she can now move on".

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Nicki Minaj was set to perform in Manchester(Image: Getty Images for Live Nation)

The force added to the PA news agency that the woman will have to pay “a fine” which will be determined by the Public Prosecution Service. Minaj’s show at Co-op Live was originally set to have doors open at 6.30pm but this was changed to 7pm, and fans have since entered the venue.

Footage shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, showed fans making their way inside the arena at 7.15pm. However, Live Nation later issued a statement to cancel the show.

They said: "Nicki Minaj’s scheduled performance at Manchester’s Co-op Live on Saturday 25th May has been postponed. Tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled performance which will be announced ASAP.

"Despite Nicki’s best efforts to explore every possible avenue to make tonight’s show happen, the events of today have made it impossible. We are deeply disappointed by the inconvenience this has caused. More information will be available at your point of purchase."

Fans entered the venue at 7.15pm(Image: X)
They're still hopeful the show will go ahead(Image: X)

Nicki had filmed herself on Instagram Live getting arrested for allegedly "carrying drugs" while travelling from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. She has vehemently denied the allegations.

Co-op Live Arena is yet to release information about whether the concert will still be going ahead. In a post on X at 5.25pm, they said: "Please note that general admission and premium doors for tonight’s @NickiMinaj show will now open at 19:00." They are yet to issue an updated statement.

In a post shared on X earlier today, Nicki claimed airport security "said they found weed & that another group of pp have to come here to weigh the pre-rolls". She also claimed her bags had been taken without her consent.

Then, in a video shared on Instagram Live, Nicki was told she needed to go to the police station in regards to the allegations. In the video, a man said she would "get a lawyer at the office". However, during the Instagram Live, Nicki said she was told to "get into this [police] van and go into the precinct with no lawyer present".

Nicki had filmed her arrest(Image: Nicki Minaj/Instagram)
She was involved in an incident at Amsterdam airport(Image: Nicki Minaj/Instagram)

Before the alleged arrest, Nicki shared updates to social media as she told fans how her bags were being pulled aside to be searched at the airport. Writing on X, the star said: "They've been trying everything they possibly can to TRY to stop this tour."

She then claimed staff were trying to "plant things" in her luggage. The musician also shared a clip on Instagram of a man telling her police needed to take a closer look at her luggage.

Alongside the clip, she wrote: "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. This is what it looks like when ppl are paid big money to try to sabotage a tour after all else failed. Everything they've done is illegal."

Co-op Live was plagued by issues before opening earlier this month. The venue postponed its first official show several times after safety concerns with the performer, US rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, moving his gig to rival AO Arena over the delays. However, the UK's biggest arena had live music on May 14, when British rock band Elbow took to the stage.

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