Hyderabad: Many Africans involved in drug cases and white collar crimes have given the slip to the law even after being arrested and charge-sheeted.
The police usually record the temporary addresses of suspects, whenever they are arrested. However, after securing bail they leave the city. At least six Africans facing trial under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act are now absconding causing inordinate delay in trials. Though the police seize their passports after arrests officials suspect that a few have already left the country using the sea route using illegal means.
The execution of Non-Bailable Warrants against foreigners is a headache for the police, as they have to track them again.
“In case of criminals from our city, it’s not difficult to track them even if they abscond after bail as we know their permanent address and other details. However, foreigners can change their residence and leave the city,” said a senior police official.
Roshni Maryam, a 23-year-old Nigerian was arrested in 2012 by the OU police while she and her friend were selling cocaine. She was produced in court along with the other accused, and remanded. However, after getting bail she absconded.
Police said that Maryam, who was a student, had given a Yapral address. However, she moved out later. Similarly, five drug suspects from Africa are still absconding. Since the CCS anti-narcotic cell suffers from a severe staff crunch, it’s impossible to catch them again.
In 2012 alone, the police had arrested 12 foreigners in different cases, while six foreigners were arrested in 2013 in the city. Two Nigerians were arrested three days ago by the north zone Task force in connection with a drug peddling case.
