ED initiated investigation on the basis of various FIRs registered by Punjab Police and Haryana Police related to deportation of 330 Indian Nationals to India on military cargo planes in February 2025
FinTech BizNews Service
Mumbai, November 29, 2025: ED, Jalandhar Zonal Office, has carried out search operations at 13 locations across states of Punjab, Haryana and New Delhi on 18.12.2025 and 19.12.2025 under PMLA, 2002 in connection with a money laundering investigation in Dunkey Route Case’ related to illegal immigration into the USA, as per a press release issued by the ED today.
During the search operations, cash amounting to Rs. 4.68 Crore, gold bars (5.9 Kg) worth Rs. 8.07 Crore (approx.), gold coins (20 gms) worth Rs. 2.7 Lakh and Silver bars (313 Kg) worth Rs. 6.42 Crore (approx.) along with several digital devices and various incriminating records/documents were found and seized. Further, during the course of search action, more than 50 original passports of third-parties were also found from various premises, which is being looked into.
ED initiated investigation on the basis of various FIRs registered by Punjab Police and Haryana Police under various sections of BNS 2023(erstwhile IPC 1860) and Immigration Act, 1983 related to deportation of 330 Indian Nationals to India on military cargo planes in February 2025 by the USA Government as those 330 persons entered USA illegally.
ED investigation revealed that various ‘agents’ and their associates used to cheat gullible people by luring them under the pretext of sending them to the USA legally and charged hefty amounts for this. This was arranged and facilitated by complex web of persons involved viz. travel agents, middlemen, donkers, overseas associates, Hawala operators, lodging and other logistics arrangement providers. However, subsequently they used to send people via dangerous routes through various South American countries and they were made to cross over into the USA illegally through the USA-Mexico border. Throughout the way, people were tortured, extorted for even more money and made to commit illegal acts. Such ‘agents’ and their associates generated Proceeds of Crime by cheating various persons on false pretexts and obtaining large sums from them.
Previously, searches were conducted in this case on 09.07.2025 and 11.07.2025 at 19 locations under the provisions of PMLA, wherein incriminating documents and materials were found and recovered including bogus immigration Stamp, bogus Visa stamp, records and digital devices. Further, on 15.12.2025 ED had provisionally attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs. 5.41 Crore (approx.) including agricultural land, residential premises, business premises and bank accounts derived out/equivalent to the Proceeds of Crime generated by various agents who were involved in sending persons to USA illegally through the ‘dunky’ route.
Further investigation is under progress.
