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In a bizarre incident, an Indian national residing in the United States was held for almost a month after police officers mistaken a branded perfume bottle as a vial of opium. The case, first reported by The Guardian, has attracted sharp criticism over the way the case was dealt with and the immigration issues that ensued for the man.

Traffic Stop Turns Suddenly Serious

Kapil Raghu, who is an Indian citizen and is married to an American and seeking US citizenship, was pulled over on May 3, 2025, in Benton, Arkansas, for a minor traffic violation. While stopped, the officers allegedly found a small bottle of perfume marked "Opium" by Yves Saint Laurent. Thinking that it was filled with narcotics, they arrested Raghu on charges of drug possession even when he insisted several times that it was perfume.

Bodycam footage obtained by local outlet THV11 shows officers confronting Raghu. One officer reportedly said, “You got a vial of opium that was in your center console. Go and take a seat.” Raghu told the Saline Courier he was making a food delivery at the time and had complied with all traffic regulations.

Perfume Confirmed, But Detention Continues

The Arkansas State Crime Lab later confirmed the substance in the bottle was perfume, not opium. But, Raghu spent three days in Saline County Jail. During this period, authorities found an "administrative or legal error" indicating his visa had expired, his attorney, Mike Laux, stated.After the initial detention, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Raghu and brought him to a federal immigration facility in Louisiana, where he was held for close to 30 days.

"She would call me every evening," Raghu explained to THV11, remembering the hard days away from his family. "My stepdaughter was crying a lot. My wife was even going to sell her cars and go to another country so we could live together."

Charges Dropped, But Visa Issues Remain

Even though a district court judge officially dismissed the charges on May 20, Raghu's work visa was also canceled, leaving him in a vulnerable immigration status. Laux described how Raghu is now in "deportation status," which means he can be deported even for minor misdemeanors and is forbidden from working, leaving tremendous burdens on his family.

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Raghu has since written a letter to ICE asking for a review and reinstatement of his visa. He blamed his immigration lawyer for delays in submitting crucial documents, which had led to his present situation. "My wife is shouldering the entire financial burden herself," Raghu wrote. “The legal fees and the inability to work have created a very difficult situation for our family.” The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, has not commented on the case.

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The incident has drawn attention to potential flaws in the enforcement process, particularly for foreign nationals legally residing in the US. The case highlights the need for careful verification in routine traffic stops and for greater oversight of immigration procedures when administrative errors occur.