An Indian man illegally present in the United States has come under US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) radar. Accused of multiple violations abroad, Dipakkumar Ghelani’s name was flagged in an official news release this week after the federal agency encountered the Indian national in jail for allegedly trafficking $13 million in drugs following a Florida Highway Patrol arrest.
Currently in local custody, Ghelani is now bound to face immigration proceedings after overstaying his US visitor visa. He originally entered the country on March 18, 2016, on a B-2 non-immigration visa valid until May 23, 2019.
According to ICE’s official statement, Ghelani is facing multiple charges in addition to his visa overstay violation. Convicted of providing alcohol to a child, Ghelani was recently arrested for felony possession of money from selling drugs, being a fugitive from justice, and drug trafficking.
ICE speaks out after Indian man’s arrest in Florida
On April 27, ICE confirmed that it encountered Dipakkumar Ghelani at the Duval County Pre-Trial Detention Facility over a week ago. Florida Highway Patrol, which is one of the agency’s law enforcement partners, arrested him at the time on a felony warrant for trafficking drugs with an estimated street value of over $13 million.
“The Florida Highway Patrol has consistently proven to be a reliable partner in supporting ICE’s efforts to arrest potentially dangerous criminal illegal aliens like Ghelani, who’s been convicted of providing alcohol to a child and arrested for felony possession of money from selling drugs, being a fugitive from justice, and drug trafficking,” said ICE Director Todd M Lyons.
Indian man failed to prove legal presence in the US
ICE is now on track to make a custody determination once Ghelani’s local and state charges are resolved. According to the US government agency, his case particularly attracted federal authorities on visa-related matters.
Ghelani is said to have failed to provide documentation proving his legal presence in the US during an interview with a designated immigration officer, especially with his B-2 visa expiring in May 2019.
According to local US outlet Action News Jax, the Ghelani is expected in court in Jacksonville on May 7. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges linked to his Florida arrest.