New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted raids at 11 locations across Punjab and Haryana as part of its crackdown on illegal immigration through the ‘Dunki route’, officials said.
The searches were carried out in Amritsar, Sangrur, Patiala, Ambala and Karnal based on 17 FIRs related to human trafficking cases.
According to officials, the raids were conducted by the Jalandhar unit of the ED and continued throughout the day. A detailed statement will be shared after the raids are completed, the agency said.
This is not the first time the ED has acted against the ‘Dunki route’ network in the region. Previous raids have led to the seizure of documents from several suspects. Wednesday’s operation aimed to connect leads gathered in earlier investigations, officials added.
The racket came to light after statements of illegal immigrants deported from the United States were recorded. Those deported said they paid hefty sums to agents to undertake the risky journey abroad. Based on their statements, several brokers and agents were identified.
The ED has launched a money laundering investigation in the case and has so far identified several suspected agents linked to the racket. During Wednesday’s raids, documents, cash and electronic devices were seized from the premises of the accused.
Officials said the network is particularly active in rural areas of Punjab and Haryana, exploiting unemployment and luring people with promises of a better life abroad. The ED said the investigation aims to dismantle the illegal immigration network and bring those involved to justice.
