Posted by AI on 2025-10-04 05:04:10 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-21 03:49:19
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In a significant development in Hyderabad's ongoing war on drugs, a 33-year-old Nigerian man, Geoffrey Dozieobiibe, has been deported, shedding light on the city's battle against narcotic rackets and illegal immigration. This case, while unique in its specifics, is part of a larger pattern of foreign nationals overstaying their visas and becoming entangled in the city's criminal underworld.
Geoffrey's journey began in 2019 when he illegally entered India through Nepal, bypassing airport immigration. He settled in Hyderabad's Tolichowki area, a neighborhood that has become a focal point for law enforcement due to its alleged connections to drug trafficking. His arrest, however, yielded no narcotics, but his association with known drug peddlers and criminal actors was enough to raise suspicions. The lack of valid travel documents and confirmation of his illegal status from immigration authorities sealed his fate.
The swift deportation, facilitated by the Nigerian Embassy, underscores the authorities' commitment to tackling transnational drug syndicates. Hyderabad police believe that such actions send a powerful message to international crime networks. This incident is part of a broader trend, with dozens of African nationals, primarily from Nigeria and other African countries, facing similar fates in the last year. A recent raid at a birthday party in Moinabad resulted in the detention of 36 African individuals, 23 of whom were promptly deported for overstaying their visas.
The challenge for Hyderabad's authorities is to balance the city's reputation as a hub for education and medical tourism with the need to prevent it from becoming a safe haven for criminal activities. With over 370 foreign nationals overstaying visas in Telangana and a decade-long trend of foreign nationals being arrested for drug-related crimes, the police are now implementing stricter checks in educational institutions and the hospitality sector, collaborating with embassies to streamline deportation processes, and ensuring that the city remains a welcoming destination for legitimate visitors while deterring criminal elements.