New Delhi: Sixty-six Nigerian and 65 Bangladeshi nationals are among 191 foreign citizens detained and slated for deportation by Delhi Police’s crime branch over the past month. The major crackdown, carried out under Operation Vista, targets illegal immigration and illicit narcotics networks operating across the capital.The two nationalities account for nearly 70% of the total detentions, highlighting a significant enforcement push against organised networks allegedly using overstayed visas to facilitate unlawful activities. All 191 individuals have been transferred to detention centres to undergo formal deportation proceedings, while investigators probe their wider criminal links.The month-long operation by Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) focused heavily on intelligence-led field operations, credential verification and tracking individuals linked to local, interstate and international drug-trafficking networks, said special CP (Crime) HGS Dhaliwal.Besides the Nigerian and Bangladeshi nationals, the regional breakdown includes nine nationals each from Ivory Coast, Uganda and Thailand; seven each from Cameroon and Ghana; six from Tanzania; four each from Liberia and Senegal; three from Guinea; and one each from Benin and Zimbabwe.The enforcement drive is in line with Union govt’s zero-tolerance policy towards drugs and Union home minister Amit Shah’s call for a Nasha Mukt Bharat (Drug-Free India). In the wake of the operation, Delhi Police warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone providing shelter, logistical assistance or forged documents to illegal residents.Officers said they would continue sustained, intelligence-led action against foreign nationals found residing illegally, particularly those suspected to be involved in drug peddling, organised crime or other activities prejudicial to public safety.“Verification and investigation processes are underway to identify facilitators, associates and other members of the suspected criminal networks. Appropriate action, will be taken against all persons found involved,” an officer said.Delhi Police has appealed to landlords, property owners and local employers to rigorously verify visa and passport credentials of foreign nationals before renting out properties or offering employment, and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement agencies immediately. The drive is expected to intensify in the coming days.
