Job Seekers from Andhra Pradesh Used as Drug Carriers in Gulf

Hyderabad: A large number of people from Andhra Pradesh travel to Gulf countries in search of better livelihood, and to sustain their families back home. But many vulnerable and innocent travellers are duped by agents and used as drug carriers.

Some of them get caught and land up in jails, oblivious of the racket they have been unknowingly dragged into. They remain there for years, serving sentence. According to an estimate, already over 150 such people are serving various sentences at Gulf prisons for the crimes they did not actually commit.

In one such case, Shamila's son Mohammad Rafeek had gone to Kuwait to work two years ago. She thought the money her son would send, will end all their miseries.

Instead, he landed up in a jail. Shamila claims her son is innocent and has been falsely implicated in a criminal case related to drug trafficking.

Rafeek, who belongs to Andhra Pradesh's Kadapa district, is not the only victim.

Three years ago, Mallesh also went to Kuwait with a hope of a better future, but got arrested.

Since then, both the families are facing a difficult time and waiting for their sons’ to return home.

“He had gone there to work. But we don’t know what happened there. He was jailed. We are very poor and are facing a lot of problems. I want my son back. We appeal to the government to help bring him back,” Shamila said.

Mallesh’s mother claims that some packet was given to him for delivery and the police jailed him after finding it in his luggage. “He had gone there to work. He has a little daughter waiting for his return,” she said.

Andhra Pradesh Police is not in denial of such victims being used as drug carriers. With the number of cases increasing, police have intensified the crackdown against agents who take advantage of innocent travellers and smuggle drug.

In the last four months, Kadapa police have busted two gangs and arrested 11 people. According to police, travel agents or mediators target villagers who travel to the Gulf for work.

Sometimes drugs are packed in boxes and sent out for delivery with travellers and at other times drugs are placed inside suitcases also. Police have appealed to the public to remain alert.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ambu Raja Pulivendhula said, “We are counselling and asking the operators to explain the laws in those countries”.

More than 150 Indians reportedly from Kadapa, Nellore and Chittoor districts are lodged in a jail in Kuwait. The police are now maintaining a track record of mediators and travel agents in the districts who send people to Gulf countries.

They are also conducting counselling and awareness drives, asking people to not accept any parcel from anyone while travelling. While police are making efforts to prevent such cases, the families are appealing to the government to help bring their children back.