Donkey Route Case: ED Raids 11 Locations Across Punjab and Haryana
In a major crackdown related to illegal immigration, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at 11 locations across Punjab and Haryana on Wednesday. The searches were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and are linked to the notorious “Donkey Route” case.
The raids were conducted by the ED’s Jalandhar Zonal Office in key cities including Amritsar, Sangrur, Patiala, Moga, Ambala, Kurukshetra, and Karnal. The operation targeted locations associated with agents and middlemen involved in the illegal smuggling of people to the United States through unauthorised and dangerous routes.
This case stems from multiple FIRs filed by the Punjab and Haryana police against travel and visa agents who allegedly defrauded individuals aspiring to go to the US. These agents promised safe passage but instead routed them through unsafe and illegal channels, known commonly as the “Donkey Route.”
The ED had earlier recorded statements from several deported individuals who were returned from the US earlier this year. Based on these testimonies and further investigation, names of key suspects emerged, leading to the coordinated searches this week.
The agency aims to expose the entire network and track down the financial proceeds involved in this illegal immigration racket. The investigation is ongoing, and further action is expected as more evidence is gathered.
What Is the Donkey Route Case Probed by ED?
The “Donkey Route” case refers to a widespread human trafficking racket involving illegal immigration to the United States, primarily operated by travel and visa agents across Punjab and Haryana. These agents, along with middlemen, have been accused of cheating numerous individuals who wished to migrate to the US for better opportunities.
According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the agents lured innocent people with false promises of sending them abroad through legal routes such as commercial flights. In reality, after collecting exorbitant amounts ranging from ₹40–₹50 lakh per person, the candidates were routed through illegal and highly dangerous paths known as “Donkey Routes.”
These routes typically involve crossing multiple international borders on foot or via unsafe transport, often through jungles, deserts, and other perilous terrains, under the control of international mafias and local “donkers.” Many individuals face threats, violence, and extortion during this treacherous journey, with agents pressuring families back home for more money.
Several FIRs have been registered by Punjab and Haryana police, which laid the foundation for the ED’s case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Investigations revealed that a large number of Indians, especially from Punjab and surrounding states, were deported from the US — some even on military planes — in early 2025. Statements from these deportees further exposed the depth of the scam.
The ED is now actively working to identify all those involved, trace the money trail, and dismantle the network enabling this illegal immigration route.
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