Foreigners overstaying in the city are active drug peddlers

HYDERABAD: Foreign nationals who continue to stay in the city despite expiry of their valid visas, has become a major worry. A bigger worry is that they are reportedly involved in drug peddling.

The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), functioning under the union home ministry, which is responsible for movement of foreign nationals in the country, seems to be doing nothing much in addressing and putting an end to this menace.  

Ironically, most cases pertaining to supply of synthetic drugs in the city reveal that the peddlers are foreign nationals, who are in the city either on student or business visas. While some manage to get their visas extended, many of them are staying back illegally and continuing the racket.

Despite a series of drug trafficking cases tracing the involvement of foreign nationals, who are overstaying, neither the FRRO nor other agencies have taken the initiative to conduct special drives. Nailing the culprits has been miniscule. Moreover, they are not caught red-handed while in possession of drugs. ‘Students’ never attend classes nor do they appear for exams, inquiries revealed.

Those overstaying adopt various methods to dodge police. Some of them destroy their documents the moment they arrive here and give different identities when caught, leaving the agencies in the dark about their true identity.

Lack of constant surveillance comes as a blessing in disguise for them as they continue to go about their illegal activities like drug trafficking.

Earlier, FRRO used to serve a ‘leave India’ notice on foreigners overstaying in the country. The foreign nationals would immediately relocate to a different city and start their activities. Even if a ‘movement restriction’ order is served on them, they will be lodged in detention centres. Sending them back has become a herculean task for police and FRRO.

While the FRRO was not available to comment on the issue, it was learnt that because of the increase in illegal activities, FRRO started issuing ‘leave India’ notice and ‘movement restriction’ orders at the same time so that the culprits are detained till deported, said officials.