ED seizes Rs 4.62 crore, silver and gold in ‘dunki’ money laundering probe

Investigators also recovered some "incriminating" chats from phones and electronic devices found during the searches. Representational Pic

The ED seized cash worth Rs 4.62 crore, 313 kg of silver, and 6 kg of gold bullion during fresh raids linked to an ongoing money laundering probe involving the illegal transport of Indians to the US via the 'dunki' route, officials said on Friday, according to the news agency PTI.

The searches were conducted on Thursday across more than a dozen locations in Delhi, Punjab (Jalandhar), and Haryana (Panipat).

From the premises of a Delhi-based travel agent, authorities recovered cash, silver, and gold bullion valued at a total of Rs 19.13 crore, they added.

Investigators also recovered some "incriminating" chats from phones and electronic devices found during the searches.

From the premises of a "key" player in Haryana, officials said they found records and documents related to the 'dunki' business.

The agent allegedly kept property documents of people wanting to go to the US illegally as surety for payment of his commission amount, the officials claimed, reported PTI.

The word "donkey," "dunkey," or "dunki" refers to the long and arduous journey undertaken by immigrants to enter countries illegally.

The federal probe agency conducted the first round of raids in July and recently attached assets worth Rs 5 crore of some travel agents after identifying alleged operatives behind this illegal racket.

The ED investigation stems from a series of FIRs registered by the Punjab and Haryana Police in connection with the deportation of 330 Indian nationals to India on board US military cargo planes in February 2025. These people were found to be living "illegally" in the US, reported PTI.

Describing the alleged modus operandi of the agents, the ED said they "cheated" gullible people by luring them under the pretext of sending them to the US legally and charged "hefty" amounts.

However, the travellers were sent through dangerous routes via South American countries and were made to enter the US illegally through the border with Mexico.

Throughout the journey, according to an ED statement issued a few days back, these people were tortured, extorted for additional money, and forced to commit illegal acts, reported PTI.

The agents and their associates generated proceeds of crime (as defined under the PMLA) by cheating these people, the ED said.

So far this year, the US has deported more than 1,500 Indian nationals.

(With PTI inputs)