10 Africans arrested in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD - At least 10 Nigerians and Ugandans were arrested in Hyderabad Sunday for illegally overstaying in the country, police said.

The police action follows the arrest of two Nigerians earlier this month for drug peddling.

Police raided the homes of the 10 Africans here and took them into custody. Their passports were also seized, sources said.

Raids were conducted in areas like Humayun Nagar, Mehdipatnam and Toli Chowki. The police also launched a drive to verify passports and visas of the foreigners, most of whom are students.

The raids were conducted a couple of days after a Nigerian was arrested while selling drugs in the city.

Cheema Claymen, who was later found to be illegally overstaying in the country, was arrested along with two brothers of Telugu actor Ravi Teja and their associate.

He was the second Nigerian to be arrested this month in the city for dealing in drugs.

Police Commissioner A.K. Khan has already said they would keep a close watch on foreigners, especially Africans, staying here.

The police have also asked the universities in and around the city to provide details of their foreign students.

According to sources, the two arrested Nigerians have give police the details of their customers including Telugu film actors, businessmen and other influential residents.

Khan said police were keeping a watch on 60 people from rich and famous families suspected to be using drugs.

Director General of Police R.R. Girish Kumar told reporters in Rajahmundry Sunday that there was information about the involvement of some rich and famous people in the drug racket but it could not be shared with public at this stage.

The police chief said special teams were being constituted to prevent students from becoming drug addicts.