An alarming tale of suspected human trafficking has emerged following the return of a Nicaragua-bound Airbus A340, diverted from France amid suspicions of facilitating illegal immigration, carrying 303 passengers, including 260 Indians. Investigations have unveiled a distressing narrative of 66 passengers from Gujarat allegedly coerced into a complex web of illegal immigration, with promises of entering the US via Nicaragua.
According to the Crime Investigation Department (CID) and Railways officials, these Gujarat natives, mostly from Mehsana, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Anand districts, were enticed by immigration agents, agreeing to pay exorbitant amounts ranging from ₹60 lakh to ₹80 lakh for illegal entry into the US. The agents, operating in Dubai, had allegedly orchestrated this illicit plan, providing air tickets and USD 1,000 to 3,000 to each passenger.
The convoluted scheme directed passengers to board the flight bound for Nicaragua via Dubai, intending to transit to the US-Mexico border upon reaching Nicaragua. Subsequent interventions by French authorities during a technical stopover at Vatry near Paris led to the aircraft’s grounding in France.
The CID’s relentless investigation aims to uncover the identities of these agents, seeking assistance from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to delve into visa acquisition, bank transactions, and flight bookings linked to this elaborate trafficking scheme.
The distressing revelation sheds light on a larger trend, with Nicaragua increasingly becoming a gateway for individuals seeking asylum in the US. Recent US Customs and Border Patrol data highlighted a staggering 51.61% surge in attempted illegal Indian entries into the US, with a significant number endeavoring to cross via the Mexican border.
These clandestine flights to Nicaragua or other countries with lenient travel regulations have earned the moniker ‘donkey flights’, signifying their role in facilitating illegal immigration. The unfolding narrative underscores the need for concerted efforts to dismantle such criminal networks and safeguard vulnerable individuals from falling prey to exploitation in the pursuit of a better life abroad.
Sources By Agencies