Indian Man Detained In U.S. Over Perfume Mix-up; Seeks Visa Reinstatement

Kapil Raghu, an Indian national living in Benton, Arkansas, was detained for nearly a month after U.S. police mistook a bottle of Yves Saint Laurent 'Opium' perfume for illegal narcotics. On May 3, 2025, Raghu was pulled over for a minor traffic violation while delivering food. During the stop, officers discovered the perfume bottle labeled 'Opium' in his car and assumed it contained narcotics.

Despite Raghu's repeated explanations that it was merely a fragrance, he was arrested on suspicion of drug possession. Body camera footage from the incident shows officers confronting Raghu, with one stating, "You got a vial of opium that was in your centre console."

The Arkansas State Crime Lab later confirmed that the substance in the bottle was indeed perfume, not opium. However, during his detention, authorities discovered that Raghu's visa had expired, leading to his transfer to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. He was held for 30 days before being released.

Although the charges against Raghu were dropped, the incident has had significant repercussions on his immigration status. His visa was revoked, and he now faces the possibility of deportation. Raghu is actively seeking to have his visa reinstated and to resolve the complications arising from this misunderstanding.

This case highlights the potential consequences of misidentifications and the challenges faced by immigrants in the U.S. Raghu's situation underscores the importance of clear communication and understanding, especially when dealing with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. The incident has drawn attention to the need for better training and awareness among law enforcement officers to prevent such misunderstandings in the future.