Suspected Trafficking Operation Foiled: Investigation Underway

Following the interception of a chartered plane in France, carrying 276 Indian passengers, suspicions of a trafficking syndicate have prompted rigorous investigations by authorities in Punjab and Gujarat. The majority of passengers, primarily from Punjab and 25% from Gujarat, possessed valid Nicaraguan visas.

Gujarat Police have mobilized teams to unravel the network orchestrating this suspected trafficking attempt. Superintendent of Police, CID (Crime), Sanjay Kharat, emphasized the focus on identifying the syndicate’s facilitators and the individuals opting for this mode of travel.

Punjab Police noted that most passengers, aged in their mid-20s to early 30s, held legitimate Nicaraguan visas. Termed the “Donkey route,” this method involves crossing borders through intermediary countries. The passengers initially traveled to Dubai on tourist or work visas before boarding the flight to Nicaragua. French authorities halted the plane, suspecting a route toward the US via Mexico.

The investigation intends to ascertain the involvement of agents, the scale of this operation, and the control exerted by a kingpin operating internationally. Interrogations of passengers upon their return aim to uncover crucial information regarding this complex trafficking network.