Nicaragua human trafficking case: Gujarat residents allegedly agreed to pay Rs 60 to 80 lakhs to enter US illegally

Over 60 people from Gujarat found themselves at the center of a suspected human trafficking case when a Nicaraguabound plane carrying 303 passengers was grounded in France over a week agoThe Airbus A340 which included 260 Indian passengers landed in Mumbai on December 26 after facing allegations of human trafficking in FranceInvestigations by the state Crime Investigation Department CID Crime and Railways have revealed a disturbing plot More than 60 individuals from Gujarat mainly from Mehsana Ahmedabad Gandhinagar and Anand districts had allegedly agreed to pay immigration agents a staggering amount ranging from Rs 60 lakh to Rs 80 lakhThese agents promised to facilitate their illegal entry into the United States after arriving in Nicaragua via DubaiSuperintendent of Police CIDCrime and Railways Sanjay Kharat spearheading the investigation disclosed that the passengers including some minors had been questioned with 55 of them admitting to their involvement in the illicit scheme The passengers most of whom had completed their education up to Class 8 to 12 were lured by promises made by local immigration agentsAccording to Kharat the passengers were instructed by the agents to pay the agreed sums only after reaching the United States The agents assured them that their operatives would escort them from Nicaragua to the USMexico border facilitating their illegal entry Additionally the agents had reportedly booked air tickets for the passengers and provided them with USD 1000 to 3000 each to handle emergency situationsAlso read About 2000 petrol pumps run dry as truckers strike against new penal codeThe intricate plan orchestrated by the agents unfolded as the passengers traveled from Ahmedabad Mumbai and Delhi to Dubai between December 10 and 20 Following the agents instructions they boarded a chartered flight bound for Nicaragua from the Fujairah International Airport on December 21The CID has identified nearly 15 agents involved in the scheme and has sought assistance from the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI to gather more information The CID has requested details about the agents who acquired Dubai visas for the passengers the bank accounts from which the visa fees were paid the process of obtaining Nicaraguan visas in Dubai and information about the flight bookings and ticket paymentsThe chartered flight operated by Romanian charter company Legend Airlines was en route to Nicaragua but landed at Vatry near Paris for a technical stopover French authorities intervened and launched a judicial investigation into the circumstances and purpose of the trip suspecting human trafficking The investigation is being handled by a unit specializing in organized crimeNicaragua has become an attractive destination for individuals seeking asylum in the United States Recent data from the US Customs and Border Patrol CBP reveals a significant increase in the number of Indians attempting to enter the US illegally In the fiscal year 2023 96917 Indians attempted illegal entry indicating a 516137 surge from the previous year with 41770 attempting entry via the Mexican land borderFlights to Nicaragua or other countries with lenient travel document requirements are commonly referred to as dunki flights This alarming incident raises concerns about the lengths some individuals are willing to go to pursue illegal entry into the United States prompting authorities to strengthen measures against human trafficking and illegal immigration