The Ministry of External Affairs asked the Foreigners' Regional Registration Office (FRRO) yesterday to keep the ministry informed about his movements. Giving details, a senior police officer said: ``Alzar had five small packets of brown sugar in his bag. He had brought them to school. The exact source of the drugs is yet to be verified.''

The principal reportedly informed the police immediately after he recovered the drugs from Alzar's possession on August 5. A case was registered at the R.K. Puram police station (FIR 517 under Sections 27/61/85 of the Indian Penal Code).

The Ethiopian ambassador went to Mount Carmel School and the R.K. Puram police station after he came to know of the incident. Sources in the police said, ``All we could do in this case is register a case at the police station. Alzar, as the ambassador's son, enjoys diplomatic immunity. Rules do not permit us to arrest him. In such instances, the emphasis is on hushing up the case as soon as possible.

Who wants to get on the wrong side of VVIPs?'' Senior officers at the FRRO said: ``The Ministry of External Affairs has issued strict instructions to our staff to keep a vigil on the movements of erring foreign nationals. In Alzar's case, he cannot be arrested as he enjoys immunity. However, we have to inform the ministry whenever he leaves the country or re-enters it''.

When Express Newsline contacted the Ethiopian Embassy staff, they said: ``Our press officer is not around.'' FRRO staff disclosed that there has been an increase in crime committed by foreign nationals. ``There are specific areas where there has been a rise in crime by foreign nationals. That includes drug-trafficking, prostitution and last but not the least, overstaying in India without the required legal permits''.