The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday carried out search operations at 13 business and residential premises across Punjab, Haryana and Delhi in connection with a money laundering probe linked to illegal immigration through the so-called “donki route,” officials said.

The searches were conducted by the ED’s Jalandhar Zonal Office on December 18 as part of an ongoing investigation into a network allegedly involved in illegally sending Indians abroad, particularly to the United States. The term “donkey,” “dunkey” or “donki” is commonly used to describe the long, arduous and illegal journey undertaken by migrants to enter foreign countries.

The probe was initiated following multiple FIRs registered after around 330 Indian nationals were deported from the United States in February 2025 aboard a military cargo aircraft.

According to the ED, investigations revealed that the deported individuals had been sent to the US through the donki route, aided by a complex and layered network. This chain allegedly involved travel agents, middlemen, so-called donkers, overseas handlers, hawala operators and people providing lodging and logistical support at various stages of the journey.

Officials said earlier search operations and evidence collected during the investigation pointed to the involvement of second- and third-layer operatives in the illegal immigration racket. These individuals and entities were targeted in the latest round of searches.

Among those searched were Richi Travels in Jalandhar, Delhi-based Tarun Khosla, and Balwan Sharma of Panipat, officials confirmed.

The ED said it is examining their alleged role in facilitating illegal migration and in generating and moving the proceeds of crime linked to the operation.

The agency has also recently provisionally attached assets worth Rs 5.41 crore belonging to accused persons, which it says were acquired through money earned by illegally sending individuals abroad via the donki route.

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