26 May,2024 10:48 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Nicki Minaj
American rapper Nicki Minaj's concert as part of her UK Pink Friday 2 Tour was cancelled after she got briefly detained at the Amsterdam airport on allegations of possession of soft drugs. The 41-year-old rapper also live-streamed her interaction with authorities on Instagram.
Dutch military police confirmed a 41-year-old American woman had been held for possession of soft drugs on Saturday, adding it was prohibited to take such substances out of the Netherlands.
While the authorities did not identify the suspect, they later posted on social media that the suspect was let go after being levied a fine at around 19:45 GMT. Minaj was let go 45 minutes after she was due to perform at Manchester leaving around 20,000 fans disappointed with her no-show.
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The arrest occurred at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, where Dutch police reportedly found pre-rolled marijuana joints in her luggage.
The raptress denied ownership of the drugs, saying that they belonged to her security personnel.
The Netherlands classifies marijuana as "soft drugs," and exporting it is illegal despite its legal status within the country.
"They took my luggage without consent," Minaj posted on X.
"My security has already advised them those pre-rolls belong to him."
Minaj took to her social media accounts, accusing various parties of trying to sabotage her tour. She suggested that her bags were taken and searched without her consent.
"They've been trying to stop me from coming to every show. Everything they've done is illegal."
"They succeeded at their plan to not let me get on that stage tonight," she wrote on X, without saying who she was referring to.
"Please please please accept my deepest & most sincere apologies.
"They sure did know exactly how to hurt me today but this too, shall pass. They've been doing this over & over & over & over & over again & I've tried so hard to not discuss it b/c [because] you guys deserve to just get the good stuff. I hate involving you in anything that isn't for entertainment purposes only."
She said she hoped to announce a rescheduled date on Sunday, promising an "added bonus" for those with a ticket.
Following hours in custody, Minaj was released after agreeing to pay a fine, the amount of which will be determined by the Public Prosecution Service. However, the delay led to significant fallout for her Manchester show.
(with inputs from IANS)