Mumbai: The U.S. administration has taken serious note of a case involving 80 individuals who were allegedly smuggled into the United States using fake passports and visas through illegal “donkey routes.” In response, U.S. officials have sent a formal letter to Mumbai Police, requesting a meeting with senior officers.
According to sources, American consulate officials have written an email seeking an appointment with Mumbai Police to collaborate on the matter. They have emphasised the need for joint efforts to track down the 80 individuals who were illegally transported to the U.S. and to take legal action against them as per the law. The officials have also shared details of the detained suspects and those smuggled into the U.S. via email. A meeting between senior Mumbai Police officers and American authorities is expected soon.
Human Smuggling Racket Busted by Mumbai Crime Branch
Recently, the Mumbai Crime Branch uncovered a large human trafficking network that used forged visas and passports to send people to Canada, Turkey, Poland, and the UAE. Investigations revealed that once these individuals reached their destinations, agents facilitated their illegal entry into the U.S. through various “donkey routes.
The agents charged ₹30-60 lakh per person for these illegal operations. The probe further found that most of the 80 individuals smuggled into the U.S. were from Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab. Upon discovering the scale of the operation, the Crime Branch alerted central agencies, who then relayed the information to U.S. authorities.
So far, eight agents have been arrested, but the prime suspect, Rajesh Panchal, remains at large. Police are actively searching for him as the investigation continues.
