Anand LCB Arrests Three Mumbai Travel Agents in Major Human Trafficking Case
The Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Anand has made significant progress in a disturbing human trafficking case, arresting three Mumbai-based travel agents on Saturday. The agents are accused of orchestrating the illegal trafficking of a man and a woman from Anand district to Azerbaijan under false pretenses of sending them to the United States via illicit routes.
Details of the Arrests and Accused
Police officials confirmed the arrests of Mamta Gavit (48) from Virar, Kailash Soni (45) from Dahisar, and Daniel Montero (48) from Andheri. All three are residents of Mumbai and were apprehended following a thorough investigation. Authorities have stated that efforts are actively ongoing to trace two other individuals named in the First Information Report (FIR), indicating a broader network involved in this criminal operation.
Victims' Ordeal and Hostage Situation
The case came to light earlier this week when a formal complaint was registered at the Anand Town police station. The victims, identified as Dhruv Patel (22) from Jhankhariya village and Dipika Patel (32) from Vasad, were lured abroad with promises of passage to the US through Canada. Instead, they were flown to Baku, Azerbaijan, where they were immediately held hostage.
Upon arrival, their mobile phones were switched off, and they were confined under threat. The accused allegedly made video calls to the families of Dhruv and Dipika, issuing severe threats of violence and even warning of possible organ trafficking if ransom demands were not met promptly.
Ransom Payments and Family Distress
Under immense pressure and fear for the safety of their loved ones, the families transferred approximately Rs 65 lakh to secure the release of Dhruv and Dipika. This substantial amount included payments made through cryptocurrency channels, highlighting the sophisticated methods employed by the traffickers to obscure financial trails.
Political Intervention and Rescue Efforts
In desperation, the families approached Anand MP Mitesh Patel, who took immediate action by raising the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He sought urgent intervention to rescue the victims from their perilous situation in Azerbaijan.
Following coordinated efforts between the MEA and the Indian Embassy in Azerbaijan, the two individuals were successfully traced and moved to safety at the Indian Embassy in Baku. They are currently under the protection of embassy officials, with arrangements being made for their safe return to India in the coming days.
Ongoing Investigation and Network Probe
LCB investigators are now delving deeper into the case, focusing on uncovering the wider human trafficking network involved. A key aspect of the probe is tracking the money trail to identify all financial transactions and recover the extorted funds. This arrest marks a crucial step in dismantling such illegal operations and ensuring justice for the victims.
