The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a key accused allegedly involved in smuggling a man to the United States via the perilous ‘dunki’ route, a notorious pathway used by illegal immigrants.
The term ‘dunki’, believed to have originated from the word ‘donkey’, refers to an illicit route taken by individuals seeking to enter foreign nations without valid documentation.
This often dangerous and arduous journey is facilitated by human-trafficking syndicates operating across multiple international borders.
The accused, Gagandeep Singh, also known as Goldie, a resident of Tilak Nagar in west Delhi, was taken into custody, the NIA stated in an official release on Sunday.
Goldie allegedly received a sum of approximately Rs 45 lakh from a victim hailing from Punjab’s Tarn Taran district in exchange for facilitating his illegal migration, according to the statement.
Also read: Haryana man deported from US after paying ₹35L to agents
The victim embarked on the ‘dunki’ route to the US in December 2024 but was deported by American authorities on 15 February this year. Following his return, he lodged a complaint against the accused, which led to the investigation.
The case was initially registered by Punjab Police before being handed over to the NIA on 13 March.
According to NIA investigations, Goldie, who lacked any legal permit, licence, or registration to send individuals abroad, orchestrated the victim’s journey through Spain, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico before he reached the US.
“Donkers/associates of Goldie had even beaten up and exploited the victim, besides snatching the dollars he was carrying, during the arduous journey, NIA investigations further revealed,” the statement read.
The Indian government has been closely monitoring instances of human trafficking via the ‘dunki’ route.
On 28 March, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Lok Sabha, stating, “From January 2025 till date, a total of 636 Indian nationals have been deported to India from the US.”
Authorities continue to crack down on such illicit networks as part of broader efforts to curb illegal migration and human smuggling.
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