ANI
11 Jul 2025, 14:04 GMT+10
New Delhi [India], July 11 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday carried out searches at seven locations in Haryana in connection with the 'Donkey Route case' related to the illegal immigrants deported from USA in February, 2025.
https://x.com/dir_ed/status/1943549928472744421
The searches, being carried out by Jalandhar Zonal Office, are underway at Haryana's Mansa, Kurukshetra and Karnal.
Officials said that the searches are based on credible inputs gathered in previous search operation conducted on July 9 at 11 locations, including Amritsar, Sangrur, Patiala, Moga, Ambala, Kurukshetra, and Karnal targeting travel and visa agents allegedly involved in the illegal immigration network.
'Inputs gathered shows that second leg persons and human traffickers were used to arrange illegal route resources outside India in connivance with donkers(human trafficking conduits),' officials said.
The Prevention of Money Laundering (PMLA) investigation was initiated based on 17 First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the state police authorities in Punjab and Haryana against travel agents and middlemen accused of cheating individuals desperate to migrate to the US.
'These agents reportedly lured people with promises of legal travel arrangements but instead trafficked them through dangerous, illegal routes known as the Donkey Route--a term used for unauthorized, multi-country land crossings often fraught with peril,' said the officials in the ED, privy to the development.
According to ED findings, agents charged exorbitant sums-- Rs 45 to Rs 50 lakh per person--under the pretense of legal migration.
However, the agency officials said, victims were often smuggled across international borders through jungles and treacherous terrain with the involvement of organized crime networks and so-called 'Donkers' (trafficking facilitators).
Investigators further revealed that once the victims were in transit, the agents and their associates coerced families back home to make additional payments by creating a sense of fear and threat to their loved ones' safety,' said the officials.
Statements from several deportees have been recorded by the ED, leading to the identification of multiple suspects whose premises are currently being searched as part of the ongoing crackdown.
The case highlights a growing concern over transnational human trafficking networks operating under the guise of legitimate immigration services. (ANI)
Get a daily dose of Wisconsin Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Wisconsin Star.
More InformationIn the past month alone, 23 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza—three more than the number of remaining living hostages held...
LONDON, U.K.: At least 13 people are believed to have taken their own lives as a result of the U.K.'s Post Office scandal, in which...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Travelers at U.S. airports will no longer need to remove their shoes during security screenings, Department of Homeland...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: An elaborate impersonation scheme involving artificial intelligence targeted senior U.S. and foreign officials in...
SLUBICE, Poland: Poland reinstated border controls with Germany and Lithuania on July 7, following Germany's earlier reintroduction...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: After months of warnings from former federal officials and weather experts, the deadly flash floods that struck the...
(Photo credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images) The Boston Red Sox are feeling good. After sweeping back-to-back cellar dwellers in the...
(Photo credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images) Tarik Skubal had his final start before the All-Star break moved up. The Seattle Mariners...
(Photo credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images) Pete Crow-Armstrong enters his first trip to Yankee Stadium as a member of the 25-25 club...
(Photo credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images) Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado each homered as the San Diego Padres beat the visiting...
(Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images) Marcus Semien went 4-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored and Adolis Garcia homered...
(Photo credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images) Tyler Soderstrom hit a three-run homer early and concluded the contest with a walk-off...