India’s Enforcement Directorate seizes cash and bullion in immigration probe
The Enforcement Directorate says it has seized cash, gold and silver during searches linked to an investigation into an alleged network that sent Indians illegally to the United States. The agency says agents and associates used deception, hawala payments and dangerous routes, with some migrants allegedly subjected to coercion.
India’s Enforcement Directorate says it has seized ₹4.68 crore in cash, gold bars worth ₹8.07 crore and silver bars valued at about ₹6.42 crore in a money-laundering investigation connected to the so-called “Donkey Route” case. The agency conducted searches at 13 locations across Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. It said investigators also impounded 5.9 kilograms of gold bars, 313 kilograms of silver bars, gold coins worth ₹2.7 lakh, digital devices and documents.
More than 50 original passports belonging to third parties were recovered from various premises. The probe follows multiple police cases in Punjab and Haryana concerning the deportation of 330 Indian nationals from the United States in February 2025. The Enforcement Directorate said agents and associates had promised people legal entry to the US while charging substantial sums.
According to the agency, the alleged network included travel agents, middlemen, human-trafficking agents known as “donkers”, overseas associates, hawala operators and people providing accommodation and other logistical support. Migrants were allegedly moved through South American countries before entering the United States illegally across the Mexico border. The agency said some migrants were tortured, forced to pay additional money and coerced into illegal acts during the journey.
It did not identify the people whose assets were seized in the searches. On December 15, the Enforcement Directorate provisionally attached movable and immovable properties valued at ₹5.41 crore. The attached assets included agricultural land, residential and commercial premises and bank accounts.
The seizures form part of an investigation rather than a completed court finding. The agency’s allegations concern the alleged generation and laundering of proceeds from the movement of people through illegal immigration routes.
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