NEW DELHI: Punjab and Gujarat Police have initiated investigations into a suspected organised syndicate believed to be behind the trafficking of hundreds of individuals from India to Dubai and subsequently to Nicaragua.
The probe was launched following the grounding of a chartered plane in France on suspicion of trafficking, leading to the return of 276 Indian passengers, with a significant majority from Punjab and 25 per cent from Gujarat.
FLASH: A plane carrying 300 Indians, destined for Nicaragua from Dubai, landed at #MumbaiAirport today around 4 AM.
The flight made a technical stopover in Vatry near #Paris, where French authorities, suspecting human trafficking, grounded the aircraft. Of the 303 passengers,… pic.twitter.com/n0RC7FlLWj
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) December 26, 2023
The passengers, primarily in their mid-20s to early 30s, possessed valid Nicaraguan visas, but French authorities halted the flight, alleging a potential attempt to reach the US via Mexico. The term “Donkey route” was coined, signifying an illicit method involving multiple stops in different countries to cross borders surreptitiously.
ALSO READ:Indian nationals stranded in France due to human trafficking probe safely repatriated
Gujarat Police have formed dedicated teams to unravel the network facilitating this trafficking attempt. Passengers from Banaskantha, Patan, Mehsana, and Anand districts in Gujarat will undergo interrogation upon their return from Mumbai.
The focus is on identifying the agents involved in the operation and understanding the extent of the syndicate’s reach. Initial information suggests small-scale agents at the village and district levels are controlled by a kingpin operating internationally.
FLASH: A plane carrying 276 Indians, grounded in France over suspected human trafficking, has safely landed at #MumbaiAirport.
The Airbus A340, initially bound for Nicaragua, faced delays after French authorities halted its departure. The situation is under investigation. pic.twitter.com/J5CFgMoAAv
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) December 26, 2023
Superintendent of Police, CID (Crime), Sanjay Kharat, emphasised the need to discern the facilitators, the motivations behind choosing this method of migration, and the scale of such operations. The investigation aims to expose the workings of the syndicate and determine whether the documents provided to migrants were forged.
ALSO READ:Over 300 Indians on Nicaragua-bound plane landed in France over trafficking suspicions
The chartered flight, operated by Romanian charter company Legend Airlines and destined for Nicaragua, made a technical stopover in France, where the French police intervened. French authorities have launched a judicial investigation into the purpose and conditions of the trip, focusing on suspected human trafficking.
Upon landing in Mumbai, immigration authorities questioned the passengers, allowing them to leave the airport without detainment. The CID Crime teams will collaborate with these passengers to extract valuable information about the agents and agencies involved, shedding light on the scope and operations of the suspected trafficking syndicate.
