Nigerian national deported by Hyderabad police over visa, alleged drug links
Hyderabad: A Nigerian national was deported to his country by the Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing (H-NEW) on Sunday for overstaying in India without valid documents and his alleged association with drug suppliers and peddlers, a police statement said on Sunday.
The Nigerian national Ikechukwu Sylvester Mbah alias Sylvester (40) was apprehended by the police after he was found moving in a suspicious manner in the Humayun Nagar Police Station limits. When the police stopped and asked him questions, he could not provide a satisfactory response or produce valid documents confirming his legal stay in Hyderabad.
Sylvester entered India on a business visa in 2012 and was engaged in garments export business by purchasing clothes at cheaper rates in Mumbai.
However, in 2019, he was arrested by Taloja Police, Navi Mumbai, under the Passport Act, and was subsequently imprisoned for two years in Central Prison, Navi Mumbai.
After serving a jail term, Sylvester stayed with his Nigerian friends in Ulwe, a suburb of Navi Mumbai. Even though fellow Nigerians were involved in drug supplying and peddling, he did not join them and only shared accommodation with them. However, some reports suggest that he was found in similar activities to survive in the country.
Following his arrest, the Hyderabad police carried out a detailed investigation and it was revealed that his visa had expired long ago and that he was staying in India illegally. After completing the
legal formalities and with the coordination of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), the Hyderabad City Police deported him to Nigeria to prevent further involvement in activities detrimental to national security.
H-NEW has appealed to the people to remain vigilant and advised parents to monitor their children’s activities to prevent them from falling prey to substance abuse. The residents are also encouraged to report any information related to drug abuse or illegal activities to H-NEW at mobile number 8712661601
