The Koparkhairane police in Navi Mumbai recently arrested seven Nigerians for residing illegally in the node after validity period of their visas got over.
The Koparkhairane police in Navi Mumbai recently arrested seven Nigerians for residing illegally in the node after validity period of their visas got over. While the particular action taken by the police was in connection with defiance of norms on part of the foreigners, sources say residents of the satellite city have more reasons to worry as a section of the Africans is engaged in serious crimes like drug peddling.
“Such practices have been and going on in a concealed manner over the past one year. One of the pubs in CBD Belapur is a place where drug is sold to youths,” sources said and claimed that the drugs are brought to the city via Pune from Goa.
In addition to drug peddling, some Africans are allegedly involved in online lottery scams. “In 2009, the cops had, in association with a Seawoods resident, arrested a Nigerian in connection with a online lottery scam. People still receive such mails sent by Africans staying here,” they said.
Besides Koparkhairane, Nigerians can be found in large numbers in Jugugaon in Vashi, Ghansoli, and nodes like Kharghar, Kamothe and Kalamboli. These men easily get rooms on rent of Rs2,000 to Rs3,000. “For petty monetary benefits, the villagers allow them to stay put illegally. Earlier, Nigerians could be found in Kharghar only. But the number has swelled over one year,” they added.
Sources cite the example of the number of Nigerians attending Sunday mass at Sacred Heart church in Vashi. “Over a year ago, there would be one or two Africans at mass. Now, there are at least 30-40 of them. The nuisance level caused by them is high, especially for the women attending,” they said.
SV Pathak, DCP (Special Branch), Navi Mumbai, said: “There are people coming to the city with tourist visas, which are not registered with us. Hence, their exact number cannot be established. But we have a record of around 1,500 foreigners pursuing education and business here.”
When asked, Navi Mumbai police commissioner Ahmed Javed said residents forwarding complaints to cops with specifications will be a big help for the security personnel in cracking down on people involved in drug peddling.
“If anyone has any knowledge of Africans engaging in drug peddling, they should raise the matter with police. We will take action as per relevant law. Unfortunately, no complaint has been made in this regard so far,” Javed said.
He added if people perceive any threat from foreign nationals, they can convey their grievances without mentioning their names.
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