New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a probe into alleged nexus between two Maharashtra-based ‘institutions’ and Canadian colleges in trafficking Indians into the United States via the Canadian border.
This followed the deaths of a family of four Indians hailing from the Dingucha village in Gujarat on January 19, 2022. They allegedly died of extreme cold while trying to cross the Canada-US border illegally after paying an exorbitant sum of Rs 55 lakh each to human smugglers.
In a post on X, the ED said that searches were conducted at 8 locations in Mumbai, Nagpur, Gandhinagar and Vadodara on December 10 and December 19 as part of the ongoing probe against Bhavesh Ashokbhai Patel, who allegedly conspired to send the victims to the USA through Canada via illegal channels.
“During the search operations, various other incriminating documents, digital devices and 2 vehicles were seized and balance in bank accounts to the tune of Rs 19 lakh (approx.) frozen,” it added.
The seized documents indicated that 25,000 Indian ‘students’ were being referred to Canadian colleges by one such ‘institution’ every year and over 10,000 by the other. These institutions had thousands of ‘agents’ based in Gujarat and other states across India, NDTV reported, quoting sources.
The modus operandi included getting their ‘clients’ admitted to certain colleges in Canada, so as to get a student visa, and then smuggle them across the border to the US. “In view of this, the fee received by colleges based in Canada was remitted back to the individuals’ account,” the ED stated.
The agency said that investigation revealed that around 112 colleges based in Canada had entered into agreement with one entity and more than 150 with another entity. “Their involvement in the instant case is under investigation,” it added.
Of the 262 such colleges, a few, which are geographically located near the Canada-US border, are suspected to be involved in the trafficking of Indian nationals.
