NIA Arrests Key Individual in Human Trafficking Case to the U.S. via Dunki Route
The NIA has arrested Gagandeep Singh, alias Goldie, for his involvement in human trafficking to the U.S. via the ‘dunki’ route, charging the accused with illegally facilitating a victim’s journey for a payment of Rs 45 lakh. Investigations revealed the lack of legal permits and the mistreatment of the victim during travel. This case highlights ongoing issues of exploitation in human trafficking networks.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended a significant suspect linked to the illegal trafficking of individuals to the United States via the notorious ‘dunki’ route. This route, derived from the term “donkey,” refers to the perilous pathways that undocumented immigrants traverse to reach countries like the U.S. with the assistance of human-trafficking networks.
The arrested individual, identified as Gagandeep Singh, also known as Goldie, hails from Tilak Nagar in West Delhi. According to an official statement released by the NIA, Goldie reportedly received around Rs 45 lakh from a victim hailing from Tarn Taran district in Punjab for facilitating illegal immigration.
The victim undertook the journey to the U.S. through the ‘dunki’ route in December 2024 but was subsequently deported back to India on February 15 by U.S. authorities. Following his return, the victim filed a complaint against Goldie, who posed as an “agent” during this illegal operation.
Originally, this case was initiated by the Punjab Police but was transferred to the NIA for further investigation on March 13. Investigations indicated that Goldie lacked the requisite licenses or legal authorizations for processing overseas travel. He arranged for the victim’s journey to the U.S. via several countries, including Spain, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico.
The NIA’s statement highlighted that Goldie’s associates exploited the victim during the journey, subjecting him to violence and theft, including taking the dollars he had brought with him. In a recent Lok Sabha inquiry, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh reported that since January 2025, a total of 636 Indian nationals have been deported from the U.S. to India.
The arrest of Gagandeep Singh, alias Goldie, by the NIA underscores ongoing issues surrounding human trafficking and illegal immigration through the ‘dunki’ route. His apprehension sheds light on the exploitation faced by victims during their attempts to reach the United States. This case reaffirms the importance of stringent measures against human trafficking syndicates and the protection of vulnerable individuals seeking better opportunities abroad.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
