NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended a key suspect allegedly involved in the illegal transportation of individuals to the United States through the notorious “dunki” route.
The term “dunki,” thought to derive from the word “donkey,” describes an illegal route employed by immigrants to gain entry into countries such as the United States without the necessary documentation. This perilous and challenging journey is often orchestrated by human trafficking organizations.
The accused, Gagandeep Singh, also known as Goldie, a resident of West Delhi’s Tilak Nagar, was taken into custody by the NIA, according to an official statement released on Sunday.
Goldie allegedly received approximately Rs 45 lakh from a victim in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district for facilitating illegal immigration, the statement revealed.
The victim was smuggled to the US via the dunki route in December 2024, as per the NIA statement. Upon being deported to India by US authorities on February 15, the victim lodged a complaint against the accused agent.
Initially filed by the Punjab Police, the case was later taken over by the NIA on March 13.
NIA investigations revealed that Goldie, lacking the necessary licenses or permits for overseas migration, used the dunki route to transport the victim to the US through Spain, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico.
Furthermore, Goldie’s associates reportedly mistreated and exploited the victim, seizing the dollars he carried during the grueling journey, according to the NIA’s findings.
