Gulf smuggling ring busted: 18 detained

Curbing activities of human traffickers who exploit Arabian Sea in Mekran for smuggling individuals to Gulf States

QUETTA:

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) successfully apprehended 18 individuals attempting to illegally migrate to Gulf countries by sea in a raid conducted in the Gwadar district of Balochistan. The crackdown, led by Deputy Director Asif Naseem, aimed to combat the menace of illegal migration.

Acting on confidential information, ASI Abdul Ghaffar, alongside the FIA Team Gwadar and FIA Composite Circle Gwadar, carried out targeted operations at various locations in Gwadar. These efforts were aimed at curbing the activities of human traffickers who exploit the Arabian Sea in Mekran for smuggling individuals to Gulf States.

The recent operations resulted in the apprehension of 13 individuals hailing from different districts of Punjab, four Afghan nationals, and one facilitator orchestrating illegal migration. The arrests adhered to established protocols, and the detained individuals are currently undergoing thorough investigations.

Read FIA nabs key human trafficking suspect

Asif Naseem emphasized the agency’s dedication to addressing the serious issue of human trafficking. He commended the proactive role of ASI Abdul Ghaffar and the entire FIA team in Gwadar for their commitment to upholding the law and ensuring the safety of individuals seeking a better life abroad.

The detained individuals, who attempted to travel to foreign countries illegally, are now subject to legal proceedings. The FIA remains steadfast in its efforts to uncover the networks behind such activities, focusing on dismantling human trafficking operations and protecting vulnerable individuals from falling prey to these criminal enterprises, according to a well-informed source within the agency, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization to communicate with the media.

This latest crackdown sends a clear message to those involved in human trafficking, underscoring the FIA’s commitment to maintaining the security and integrity of the immigration process.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17^th, 2024.