Trafficking decoded

Human traffickers smuggle people to US via Guatemala, Mexico.

They promise to fulfil your dollar dreams but all they give you is the life of a fugitive in an alien country.

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Human trafficking has turned into one of the most lucrative business in the country, which can be proven from the fact that the Delhi Police arrested more than 40 traffickers as well as 150 people trying to illegally migrate to another country in the last one year.

According to the Delhi Police, the modus operandi of human trafficking has also changed. Earlier, traffickers used to send people in container ships via Malta but now they provide fake visas, passports. They have also found new routes through Central and South America to smuggle people into the US.

The Delhi Police say the newest route taken by human traffickers is entering US via Mexico. On November 1, the Delhi Police caught a man who sent people to Mexico, Canada and the US illegally without any visa through Guatemala.

"The kingpin of the trafficking racket is one Pali alias Ronnie, a Canadian from Jalandhar, currently based in Guatemala," added the officer.

Delhi Police says human traffickers have allegedly tied up with drug cartels in Guatemala and Mexico which provide ground support to them.

"The drug cartels have routes they use to smuggle drugs, guns and other contraband across the border. Through these routes they transport these illegal immigrants as well. Most of them are sent through several tunnels between Mexico border and the US," said a senior police officer, requesting anonymity, as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

The contact points of Indian smugglers are mostly Indians living in these countries.

On an average a human trafficker charges between Rs 2 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, depending on the package they promise. "From starting to end they have lot many people working in the racket. There are 'agents' in small towns of Punjab, Rajasthan who bring willing customers to the Capital, there are forgers who provide fake documents and carriers who take them out of the country," the officer said. Trailing the traffickers