Human trafficking via ‘donkey route’: US job scam busted in Jharkhand
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Hazaribagh, August 2: In a significant breakthrough, Hazaribagh Police have dismantled an international human trafficking network that…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Hazaribagh, August 2: In a significant breakthrough, Hazaribagh Police have dismantled an international human trafficking network that allegedly duped several individuals by promising illegal entry into the United States via the notorious ‘donkey route’. Five individuals, including the alleged kingpin, have been arrested following a complaint lodged by a trafficking survivor.
The Complaint: Trafficked via Brazil to US
On July 30, 2025, Sonu Kumar, a resident of Bharajo village under Tatijharia Police Station, filed a detailed complaint exposing a transnational trafficking conspiracy. He alleged that Uday Kumar Kushwaha—also a native of Bharajo and reportedly residing in the U.S. for over 45 years—lured him with the promise of employment in America. In 2024, Kumar was allegedly sent to Brazil on forged documents, where he fell into the hands of the so-called ‘donkey mafia’.
Two other victims—Bikash Kumar (son of Darshan Prasad) and Pintu Kumar (of Jarga, Daru PS)—were reportedly trafficked similarly, travelling from Delhi to Brazil on separate dates.
Ordeal Across Latin America
According to the complaint, once in Brazil, the victims were handed over to an international smuggling network. The traffickers attempted to illegally move them across multiple countries—Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala—en route to the United States by land and river.
Sonu Kumar remained in the custody of traffickers for 50 days. During this period, the accused allegedly extorted approximately ₹45 lakh from Kumar’s family. His father, under duress, reportedly sold ancestral property and transferred the funds through various means to associates of Uday Kumar.
Deportation and Retaliation
The victim eventually reached San Diego via Mexico City but was apprehended at the U.S. border and held at a detention centre for nearly four months. He was deported to India in March 2025.
After returning, Sonu’s attempts to recover the extorted money were allegedly met with threats and physical assault by Uday Kumar and his brother Chouhan Prasad. Fearing for his life, he lodged a formal complaint, leading to FIR No. 32/25 dated 31/07/2025 at Tatijharia Police Station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police Action and Arrests
Under the directives of the Superintendent of Police, Hazaribagh, a special task force led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Bishrugarh was constituted. The following five individuals were arrested during the investigation:
- Uday Kumar Kushwaha – Bharajo (presently residing in the U.S.)
- Darshan Prasad – Budh Bazar, Tatijharia
- Lalmohan Prasad – Kesda, Tatijharia
- Chouhan Prasad – Bharajo, Tatijharia
- Shankar Prasad – Meru, Hazaribagh
Key Recoveries
- A Samsung mobile from Uday Kumar with WhatsApp chats and evidence of transactions.
- Bank deposit slips (Axis and SBI) in the name of Uday Kumar’s wife.
- A handwritten notebook listing victims trafficked and money collected.
- Multiple mobile phones from other accused containing transaction records and communication with Uday Kumar.
Trafficking History Uncovered
During the probe, police uncovered a list of individuals allegedly trafficked to the U.S. via the ‘donkey route’:
- Digambar Kushwaha (2018)
- Rajkumar Kushwaha (2013)
- Nandu Kumar, Pappu Kumar, Chandan Kumar, Shambhu Dayal, Prithvi Raj Kushwaha alias Sonu, Sanjay Verma, Suman Saurabh Prasad, Praveen Kumar (all 2022)
- Arun Kumar Kushwaha, Dheeraj Kumar (2019)
Investigation Team
The raid was led by:
- Baijnath Prasad, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Bishrugarh
- Saroj Singh Choudhary, Police Station In-charge, Tatijharia
- Pawan Kumar, Sub-Inspector and Investigating Officer, Tatijharia
- Kunal Kishore, Station In-charge, Mufassil Police Station
- Sanjay Kumar, Reserve Guard
- Tinku Kumar, Reserve Guard
- Qadir Hussain Ansari, Technical Branch
- Monu Kumar, Technical Branch
Ongoing Investigation
Hazaribagh Police regard this as a major breakthrough in dismantling an international trafficking network. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate, including foreign collaborators.
The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to immigration or trafficking to local authorities.
