Officials from the Gujarat Crime Investigation Department (CID) reported that out of the 303 passengers on the Nicaragua-bound plane redirected from France due to human trafficking suspicions, 66 individuals hailing from Gujarat had agreed to pay immigration agents between Rs 60 to 80 lakh to facilitate their illegal entry into the United States. The CID's Superintendent of Police, Sanjay Kharat, who is leading the investigation, revealed that a majority of the individuals, including some minors, were from Mehsana, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Anand districts.
The flight, originating from Dubai and headed to Nicaragua, faced scrutiny at France's Vatry airport on December 21, resulting in the return of 276 passengers to Mumbai on December 26. The remaining 27 passengers, including two minors, expressed a desire to seek asylum in France.
As part of the ongoing investigation, 55 individuals from Gujarat, primarily with educational backgrounds ranging from classes 8 to 12, were questioned, and their statements were recorded. Each of them admitted to agreeing to pay substantial amounts to local immigration agents to aid their illegal crossing into the US after reaching Nicaragua via Dubai.
The CID has identified around 15 agents who promised assistance to these 55 individuals entering the US illegally through the US-Mexico border. The agents assured the passengers that payments would only be required upon reaching the US. Furthermore, these agents facilitated air ticket bookings and provided USD 1,000 to 3,000 (approximately Rs 83,300 to Rs 2.5 lakh) to each passenger for potential emergencies.
According to the CID's findings, the passengers followed the agents' instructions, reaching Dubai from Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Delhi between December 10 and 20. Subsequently, they boarded the Nicaragua-bound plane in Dubai.
The CID has sought assistance from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to gather more information on the agents, including details on the acquisition of Dubai visas, bank transactions for visa fees, the process of obtaining Nicaraguan visas in Dubai, and the individual or entity responsible for booking the flight from Dubai and covering the passengers' ticket costs.
Notably, Nicaragua has become a sought-after destination for those seeking asylum in the US, with flights to Nicaragua or other countries known for easier travel document acquisition referred to as 'dunki' flights. US Customs and Border Patrol data for the financial year 2023 revealed that 96,917 Indians attempted to enter the US illegally, with at least 41,770 trying to do so via the Mexican land border.
