NIA Busts International Human Trafficking Ring: Key Accused Arrested for Sending Victims via Infamous Donkey Route to the US
(Judicial Quest News Network)
New Delhi, 30th March 2025 — In a major crackdown on international human trafficking, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a key accused involved in the illegal smuggling of individuals to the United States through the notorious “donkey route.”
The arrested individual, Gagandeep Singh, alias Goldie, a resident of Tilak Nagar, New Delhi, was taken into custody from the national capital. He is the prime suspect in case RC-04/2025/NIA/DLI, which centres around the illegal trafficking of a victim from Tarn Taran district, Punjab, who was deported back to India earlier this month after facing exploitation in the US.
A Grim Journey Across Borders
According to the victim’s complaint, filed shortly after his deportation on 15th February 2025, Singh had charged him a hefty sum of Rs 45 lakh for facilitating his illegal entry into the United States. The victim’s ordeal began in December 2024, when he was smuggled across multiple countries — Spain, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico — before finally reaching the US via the dangerous and often lethal donkey route.
The route, notorious for its perilous terrain and exploitation risks, is often used by human traffickers to move individuals undetected across borders. The NIA’s investigation revealed that Singh operated without any legal license, permit, or official registration for facilitating overseas travel.
Exploitation and Abuse During Transit
The victim’s harrowing journey was marked by severe abuse. Investigators learned that Singh’s associates, known as “donkers,” subjected him to physical assaults and exploitation. The gang not only beat and mistreated him but also robbed him of the dollars he was carrying, adding to his suffering.
From Punjab Police to NIA Intervention
The case was initially registered by the Punjab Police but was swiftly transferred to the NIA on 13th March 2025, given the cross-border implications and the involvement of an organized trafficking network. The NIA’s prompt action led to Singh’s arrest, as investigators continue to probe the broader trafficking syndicate that facilitated this and potentially other similar cases.
A Rising Concern in Human Trafficking
This arrest comes at a time when concerns around human trafficking are escalating globally. The use of dangerous routes like the donkey route not only puts lives at risk but also highlights the growing sophistication of trafficking networks that exploit vulnerable individuals seeking better opportunities abroad.
The NIA has assured that further investigations are underway to uncover the full extent of the trafficking ring and bring all those involved to justice.
