Fake immigration stamps, visa templates seized in Punjab, Hry

Probe began three months ago under the PMLA on the basis of 19 FIRs against travel agents and middlemen

- Navrajdeep Singh

The Enforcement Directorate, which has been investigating PMLA cases linked to illegal immigration through donkey routes to the United States, has confiscated forged immigration stamps of several countries, visa templates and other incriminating digital devices during recent search operation at seven locations in Punjab and Haryana.

After carrying out raids at 11 locations in both these states on July 9, the federal agency conducted search operations at Mansa, Kurukshetra and Karnal on July Il during which the recoveries were made. The operation was carried out on the basis of findings and evidence collected during the previous raids

The ED has already intensified the investigation under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), linked to the donkey route —a network facilitating illegal immigration to the US.

In previous raids, the probe agency had seized 30 original passports and collected evidence of hawala (illegal) money transactions.