NIA Arrests Two Key Operatives in 'Dunki' Human Trafficking Ring
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two key members of a human trafficking syndicate that illegally smuggled people to the United States via the infamous "dunki" route. The accused, arrested in Delhi and Himachal Pradesh, were associates of a previously arrested ringleader. The gang allegedly charged around Rs 45 lakh per person, promising legal visas but instead sending them on a perilous journey through multiple Latin American countries, where they faced harassment from local agents.
Unpacked:
The "dunki" or "donkey route" refers to a network used by human traffickers to illegally smuggle people, especially from India, into the United States. Migrants are sent through several Latin American countries—such as Ecuador, Bolivia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico—often facing dangerous conditions, criminal gangs, and harsh terrain before attempting to enter the US, usually via the southern border.
Migrants often risk the dunki route due to a lack of legal migration options and the hope of better economic opportunities in the US. Traffickers exploit their desperation, promising legal visas and safe passage. Many are unaware of the actual dangers involved, including violence, exploitation, and life-threatening journeys through jungles and gang-controlled areas.
Migrants face numerous dangers, including robbery, sexual assault, extortion, crippling injuries, and even death. The route includes treacherous areas like the Darién Gap—an inhospitable jungle—where wild animals and criminal gangs are prevalent. Women, in particular, are vulnerable to rape, and all migrants risk harassment from both local agents and organized crime.
Authorities have arrested key figures in trafficking syndicates, as in the recent NIA operation. US and Latin American authorities also deport illegal immigrants and conduct raids on smuggling networks. However, these syndicates adapt quickly, and persistent demand for migration keeps the illegal routes active despite enforcement efforts.