Geoffrey Dozieobiibe, a 33-year-old from Nigeria, was recently deported from Hyderabad. His deportation highlights the city’s ongoing issues with drug trafficking and illegal immigration. Geoffrey entered India illegally from Nepal in 2019, bypassing airport controls by traveling overland.
He lived in the Tolichowki area of Hyderabad for several years, where police suspect he got involved with local drug dealers operating in both Hyderabad and Bengaluru. His activities caught the attention of anti-narcotics teams focused on foreign nationals in the city’s drug scene.
Though no drugs were found on him during his arrest, investigators had strong evidence of his connections with known drug dealers. Geoffrey lacked valid travel documents, and checks with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office confirmed he was in the country illegally.
Deportation was quickly arranged. With help from the Nigerian Embassy, Indian authorities issued an emergency travel certificate to facilitate his removal. Officials noted the public risk he posed, especially his potential ties with drug traffickers in southern India. Hyderabad police emphasized that such actions deter international crime networks, showing Indian agencies are alert and proactive against global drug syndicates.
Geoffrey’s case is part of a larger trend. In the past year, Hyderabad and Cyberabad authorities have deported dozens of African nationals, including individuals from Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, and Cameroon. A recent raid at a birthday party in Moinabad led to the detention of 36 African nationals; 23 were deported immediately for overstaying their visas.
Some had been in India for over a year without proper papers, and police discovered their roles in drug rings during interrogations. These operations reveal how foreign nationals, initially arriving on valid student, business, or tourist visas, become undocumented and, in some cases, involved in criminal activities after their visas expire.
As of April 2025, over 370 foreign nationals are overstaying in Telangana, with over 20 students missing from local college records. This raises concerns about organized crime and unmonitored movement.
The Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau reports that in the past decade, 270 foreign nationals have been arrested for drug crimes, often serving as low-level couriers for international cartels. This pattern of overstaying and covert criminal activity is troubling for Hyderabad’s authorities. They have now implemented stricter checks in schools and hotels and are working closely with embassies and immigration offices to streamline deportations and blocklisting.
Hyderabad’s role as a center for educational and medical tourism continues to attract genuine visitors. However, constant vigilance is essential to prevent it from becoming a hotspot for illegal activities.
