The searches were conducted by the ED’s Jalandhar Zonal Office on December 18 as part of an ongoing investigation into a network allegedly involved in illegally sending Indians abroad, especially to the United States. The term ‘mule’ or ‘dunki’ is often used to describe the long, arduous and illegal journey that migrants undertake to enter a foreign country.
The investigation was initiated after multiple FIRs were registered following the deportation of around 330 Indian nationals from the United States on board a military cargo plane in February 2025.
According to the ED, investigations revealed that the deported persons were sent to the US via the ‘donkey route’, aided by a complex and multi-layered network. This chain reportedly involved travel agents, middlemen, so-called darks, overseas handlers, hawala operators and people who provided accommodation and logistical support at various stages of the journey.
Officials said previous searches and evidence collected during the investigation pointed to the involvement of second- and third-tier agents in the illegal immigration racket. These individuals and entities were the target of the latest round of searches.
The searchers included Jalandhar-based Richi Travels, Delhi-based Tarun Khosla and Panipat-based Balwan Sharma, officials confirmed.
The ED said it is probing their alleged role in facilitating illegal migration and in generating and moving the proceeds of crime related to the operation.
The agency also recently provisionally attached assets worth Rs 5.41 crore belonging to suspects, which it said were acquired using money earned by illegally sending persons abroad through the ‘donkey route’.
– Ends
#Donkey #route #case #searches #locations #deportation #Indians