9th member of human trafficking gang held

A key member of the 'Chinioti gang' involved in human trafficking, who defrauded 34 citizens of Rs40 million for visas, has been arrested by FIA Composite Circle Faisalabad.

Officials say a crackdown is being carried out against elements involved in human trafficking. Ghulam Mustafa, an accused in human trafficking, was arrested from Gujranwala.

The gang was involved in extorting millions of rupees in the name of sending citizens to Europe.

Nine operatives of this Chinioti gang have been arrested, while two are operating the gang from abroad and Interpol is being contacted for their arrest.

The accused received a total of more than Rs40 million on the pretext of sending 34 victims to Europe. The accused were found involved in sending naive citizens abroad illegally.

The accused used to provide fake documents to the citizens after receiving huge sums of money. The accused went into hiding after receiving money from several citizens. According to Deputy Director FIA Composite Circle Faisalabad, Umar Farooq, statements of several victims of the Chinioti gang have been recorded. All resources are being utilised to arrest the other two accused.

He said that special teams have been formed to arrest the elements involved in human trafficking in the zone. Operations are underway against human traffickers on the basis of intelligence, no one is allowed to play with the lives of innocent citizens. In the light of solid evidence, the accused will be given the appropriate punishment.

Meanwhile, fraudsters deprived five citizens, including a woman, of cash, mobile phones, and two motorcycles.

The rising incidents of fraud in the city have exposed the police's failure to control crime, with citizens falling victim to five to six incidents daily. According to the police report, fraudsters distracted Ali Raza's mother and stole her cash, gold jewelry, earrings, rings, and bangles in the Liaqat Chowk area of Ghulam Muhammadabad police station. Zubair was tricked by fraudsters and lost his cash and an expensive mobile phone in Kokianwala.

Akram's son Subhan was distracted and his motorcycle was stolen in New Bazaar Jaranwala. A fraudster named Hamid engaged Naqash in conversation and stole his motorcycle in the City Samundri area.