NIA arrests key accused in US human trafficking case for using donkey routes

New Delhi, April 1

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a key accused involved in illegally sending to US a human trafficking victim, who was deported back to India earlier this month.

Gagandeep Singh alias Goldie of Tilak Nagar, New Delhi, was nabbed from the national capital in connection with the case in which the victim, hailing from Tarn Taran district of Punjab, was sent to US via the infamous donkey route in December 2024. The victim had paid around Rs 45 lakh to the accused agent for the illegal immigration, as per his complaint.

The victim was deported to India by the US authorities on 15th February and had thereafter filed the complaint against the accused agent. The case was originally registered by the Punjab Police and taken over by NIA on 13th March.

NIA investigations revealed that Goldy, who did not possess any licence for sending persons abroad, had used the donkey route and sent the victim to US via Spain, Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico. Donkers/associates of Goldie had even beaten up and exploited the victim, besides snatching the dollars he was carrying, during the arduous journey, NIA investigations further revealed, officials said.