Nicki Minaj has been released from police custody as her European tour hit a major snag following her unexpected arrest at an Amsterdam airport on drug possession charges.
- May 26, 2024
AceShowbiz - Nicki Minaj has been released from police custody in Amsterdam after being arrested on Saturday morning for allegedly carrying drugs. The incident, which Minaj streamed on Instagram Live, led to the postponement of her scheduled concert in Manchester, part of her Pink Friday 2 World Tour.
The arrest occurred at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, where Dutch police reportedly found pre-rolled marijuana joints in her luggage. Minaj fiercely denied ownership of the drugs, claiming 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 (formerly Twitter). "My security has already advised them those pre-rolls belong to him."
Minaj's frustration was palpable across her social media accounts, where she accused various parties of trying to sabotage her tour. She alluded to interference during her travels, suggesting that her bags were taken and searched without her consent. "They've been trying to stop me from coming to every show," she wrote. "Everything they've done is illegal."
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. Fans who had already filled the Co-op Live Arena were informed of the postponement just after 21:30 BST, prompting groans and boos from the crowd.
Live Nation has assured ticket holders that their tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled performance. "Despite Nicki's best efforts to explore every possible avenue to make tonight's show happen, the events of today have made it impossible," they stated.
"I'm disappointed because I saw this afternoon that Nicki Minaj got arrested in Amsterdam," said one fan. "So I'm confused as to why the Co-op arena hasn't spoken to its fans."
Fans expressed their dissatisfaction with the last-minute announcement and Minaj's apparent lack of preparation. Minaj's trouble-plagued tour has raised questions about her management and organizational decisions, with the rapper herself accusing her former management of financial mismanagement. She also believed they had something to do with her arrest.
The Pink Friday 2 World Tour has already set music industry records, grossing $67 million and selling 439,000 tickets to date. Despite the setback, Minaj is scheduled to perform in Birmingham and London in the coming days.
