Panji, Nov 2 (TNN): The foreigners registration office (FRO) has begun verifying the passports and travel documents of the 52 Nigerians arrested on Thursday for holding up the NH-17, damaging public property, and clashing with the police, following the murder of countryman Obodo Uzoma Simeon.
The police department too is expected to soon begin combing operations to identify foreigners staying in Goa illegally and those with criminal cases against them so as to deport them.
Since 2010, 11 Nigerians have been deported and over 45 cases have been registered against them in Goa for their alleged involvement in the drug trade.
Sources told TOI that while hundreds of Nigerians are currently living in Goa, only 19 are registered with the FRO and are here on business, employment, PIO and medical visas.
Police sources further said that those living here illegally are mostly involved in the narcotics trade and earn their living from the same.
Their modus operandi is for one among them to be in the import-export trade and to bring in the drugs.
The narcotic substance is then stored at an outlet, often a restaurant, run by another gang member. The drugs are then sold through the gang's 'foot soldiers'.
Police came to understand this after the recent arrest of an African native in Panaji by the Narcotics Control Bureau.
Cocaine worth 2.5 crore was seized and police sources said they also learned that besides cocaine, Nigerians also sell charas, ganja, etc.
While Parra and Calangute are where most of them reside, they are also spotted in Arambol, Morjim, Siolim, Arpora and Anjuna.
Police said their prime target for places to stay are the rooms or houses rented by the elderly. Besides Nigerians, Kenyans and Ghanaians are among other African natives in Goa.
Meanwhile, sub-divisional magistrate and deputy collector Sabaji Shetye on Friday submitted 'the factual report' on the Porvorim incident to North Goa collector Mihir Vardhan. The report narrates the incidents that resulted in the blocking of the national highway.