More than 100 Africans with student visas were arrested recently in Bengaluru on charges of possessing drugs and overstaying. The authorities are contemplating on deporting them.

Earlier too, many Africans had been charged with overstaying and possession of drugs.

Are foreign nationals misusing the provisions and hospitality India provides?

In the latest raids, 107 Africans, mainly from Uganda, Sudan, Nigeria, Rwanda, Ghana were arrested on Saturday (21 July) from TC Palya, Brindavan Layout, Seegehalli, Priyanka Nagar, Anandapura and Maragondanahalli.

The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FERRO) had tipped off the officers at the Whitefield police station. Simultaneous raids were conducted and 107 foreigners were held. They will be sent to judicial custody.

More than 10 teams comprising nearly 150 police personnel and FERRO officers conducted raids.

In addition, the owners of the houses where the 107 accused were staying in were also booked for letting them stay without checking the legal documents.

Among the arrested, Stanley, a Nigerian national, had 150 gm ganja and another person had 50 gm cocaine in their possession. In total, 650 gm ganja, 60 gm cocaine and 10 gm Lysergic acid diethylamide have been seized from them.

In Whitefield sub-division station 25 cases have been booked, 50 cases in north-east station and 32 in east police station under Registration of Foreigners Act.