Hyderabad: Nigerian man deported for overstaying in India, alleged drug gang links

Hyderabad: A Nigerian man, identified as Obasi James Victor, was apprehended and deported by the Hyderabad police on Tuesday.

The Hyderabad Narcotic Enforcement Wing team (H-NEW) that executed the operation said that the deportation was necessary to prevent Victor from indulging in undesirable activities detrimental to national security.

Case details

Obasi James Victor, 38, entered India on a Tourist Visa and landed at the CSI Airport, Mumbai, on December 31, 2011.

Initially, he was engaged in a cloth export business to Nigeria and later started a restaurant in Delhi under the name of ‘William African Restaurant.’ He is married and presently residing in Delhi along with his family.

However, he does not possess a valid passport or visa, as both have expired, which amounts to his stay in India being illegal. During this period, he has been associating with drug peddlers and traffickers and indulging in other unlawful activities to earn easy money and lead a lavish lifestyle.

While he was found wandering in a suspicious manner at the Tolichowki Police Station limits, he was apprehended. During interrogation, he failed to provide any proper explanation or produce valid documents pertaining to his stay in Hyderabad.

Upon a thorough enquiry, he admitted that he did not have a valid visa or a passport and had been overstaying in India.

In order to repatriate him to his native country of Nigeria, H-NEW initiated the deportation process with FRRO, Hyderabad. His Emergency Travel Document was obtained from the Nigerian High Commission, New Delhi, since both his passport and visa had expired.

An Exit Permit was also secured from FRRO, Hyderabad. His travel ticket was booked from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, to Lagos, Nigeria, and his travel date was scheduled early hours of January 13.

Accordingly, a team of H-NEW, led by GS Daniel, Inspector, escorted and deported the foreigner Obasi James Victor to his native country, Nigeria, on Tuesday, thereby preventing him from indulging in any undesirable activities detrimental to national security.

Public advisory

The police have issued a warning to the public about foreigners overstaying their visit in India.

In recent times, some foreigners are coming to India from various countries on a medical, student or business visa, and even after the expiry of their papers, they continue to stay in India.

They are also indulging in illegal activities, i.e., transporting, supplying and selling the various types of drugs in India. This is resulting in rampant drug abuse and consequent addiction, leading to disastrous consequences for the family as a unit and society in general.

Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing (H-NEW) requests the public of Hyderabad to refrain from substance abuse, and parents are advised to keep a watch on the activities of their children to ensure they do not fall prey to drugs.

Any information about drug abuse can be reported to 8712661601 of the H-NEW team.