US Visa Revoked After Perfume Mistaken for Opium
An Indian-origin man, Kapil Raghu, is facing deportation from the United States after a routine traffic stop led to his wrongful arrest. Police officers mistook a designer perfume labeled “Opium” in his car for an illegal narcotic.
The incident occurred on May 3, 2025, when Raghu, legally residing in the U.S. and married to an American citizen, was stopped for a minor traffic violation. Despite explaining that the bottle contained perfume, he was arrested on suspicion of drug possession. Subsequent lab tests confirmed the substance was indeed a fragrance, and the drug charges were dropped on May 20, 2025.
However, immigration authorities flagged an administrative issue with Raghu’s visa, leading to its revocation and the initiation of deportation proceedings. His legal team is working to correct the error and restore his U.S. residency.
The case has highlighted potential flaws in immigration enforcement procedures and has drawn significant public attention. Raghu’s family continues to face uncertainty while efforts are underway to resolve his legal status.