Rapper Nicki Minaj was detained in an Amsterdam airport Saturday on possession charges, just hours before she is set to perform at Co-op Live in Manchester.
Minaj, 41, was arrested on suspicion of “possessing soft drugs” at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, multiple outlets reported. A recording of Minaj’s live stream shared to X appeared to confirm her arrest.
Minaj was released from Dutch custody and has been ordered to pay a fine, Major Robert van Kapel from the Dutch military police told Sky News.
“We have just released a 41-year-old American woman who we arrested this afternoon at Schiphol on suspicion of exporting soft drugs,” the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee wrote in a translated post on X. “After consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, the suspect was fined and can continue her journey.”
She was initially set to fly from Amsterdam to Manchester to continue her “Pink Friday 2 World” show slated to take place across three continents.
She claimed in a series of posts on Instagram and X that law enforcement found drugs after her luggage was checked out.
Minaj said Saturday on X that “they found weed & that another group of ppl have to come here to weigh the pre-rolls.” Minaj also claimed “they took my bags without consent,” adding that her “security has already advised them those pre-rolls belong to him.”
The rapper denied that she was carrying drugs, based on an Instagram Live recording.
Minaj kept sharing posts on Saturday while the situation was developing.
“Now they said I have to go 5 mins away to make a statement about my security to the police precinct,” she said in her latest post on X.
It is unclear if her incident in Amsterdam will impact her show.
“Please note that general admission and premium doors for tonight’s @NickiMinaj show will now open at 19:00,” Co-op Live, the venue, posted Saturday on X.
The Hill has reached out to Royal Netherlands Marechaussee for comment.
