The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized ₹4.68 crore in cash, gold bars worth ₹8.07 crore, and silver bars valued at about ₹6.42 crore during searches at 13 locations across Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi in connection with a money laundering investigation in the “Donkey Route” case linked to illegal immigration into the United States.
According to the agency, besides cash, gold bars and silver bars weighing 5.9 kg and 313 kg were impounded, along with gold coins worth ₹2.7 lakh and several digital devices and documents. Over 50 original passports of third parties were also impounded from various premises.
On December 15, the ED provisionally attached movable and immovable properties worth ₹5.41 crore, including agricultural land, residential and commercial premises, and bank accounts.
The money-laundering probe stems from multiple First Information Reports registered by the police in Punjab and Haryana concerning the deportation of 330 Indian nationals to India in February 2025 by the U.S. government, as they had entered the country illegally.
The ED found that various agents and their associates deceived people by promising legal entry into the U.S. and charged hefty sums. The syndicate involved a large network of travel agents, middlemen, “donkers” (human trafficking agents), overseas associates, hawala operators, and providers of lodging and other logistical arrangements.
