Ahmedabad City Crime Branch in Gujarat

New Delhi, December 26, 2024 – The Enforcement Directorate (ED), India’s premier financial investigation agency, has unearthed a vast human trafficking network allegedly involving over 260 Canadian colleges and several Indian entities. This network is accused of facilitating the illegal entry of Indian citizens into the United States via the Canadian border, charging exorbitant fees of up to Rs 60 lakh (approximately $72,000 USD) per perso The ED’s investigation, which has been ongoing for several months, gained significant traction following the tragic death of an Indian family attempting to cross the US-Canada border in 2022. The family, hailing from Dingucha village in Gujarat, froze to death in harsh winter conditions, highlighting the perilous nature of these illegal crossings. This incident prompted a deeper probe into the operations of human trafficking syndicates operating between India, Canada, and the United States. Modus Operandi: Exploiting the Student Visa Route The ED’s investigation has revealed a sophisticated modus operandi employed by these trafficking networks. The accused individuals and entities allegedly lured innocent Indians with promises of a better life in the US. They exploited the Canadian student visa program to facilitate their illegal entry. Here’s a breakdown of their alleged method: ED’s Investigation and Findings The ED initiated its investigation based on a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Ahmedabad City Crime Branch in Gujarat. The investigation has involved multiple raids and searches at various locations across India, including Mumbai, Nagpur, Gandhinagar, and Vadodara. Key findings of the ED’s investigation include: Implications and Future Actions The ED’s findings have serious implications for international efforts to combat human trafficking and illegal immigration. The involvement of educational institutions in such activities raises concerns about the integrity of student visa programs and the need for stricter oversight. The ED is expected to continue its investigation, focusing on: The Larger Context: Global Human Trafficking This case highlights the pervasive issue of human trafficking, a global problem that affects millions of people worldwide. Traffickers exploit vulnerable individuals, luring them with false promises and subjecting them to exploitation and abuse. The United Nations defines human trafficking as “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of threats or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.”   Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking Several international and national efforts are underway to combat human trafficking. These include: The ED’s investigation into this human trafficking network is a significant step in combating this global problem. By uncovering the involvement of Canadian colleges and Indian entities, the investigation sheds light on the complex and often hidden nature of these operations. It also underscores the need for greater international cooperation and vigilance to prevent future instances of human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals