HOUSTON: Four Indian-Americans have been arrested and charged for allegedly running a human trafficking racket in Texas state of the United States, where 15 women were found as victims, media reported.
Chandan Dasireddy, 24, Dwaraka Gunda, 31, Santhosh Katkoori, 31, and Anil Male, 37, were apprehended following an investigation by the Princeton Police Department into suspicious activities at a residence on Ginsburg Lane in Collin County, news portal Fox4News.com reported. The arrests were made in March after officers responded to a welfare concern raised by a pest control company, which found several women sleeping on floors in rooms devoid of furniture, save for electronic devices and blankets.
According to a report by the news portal, the investigation revealed a distressing scenario where the women were allegedly coerced into forced labor for Katkoori and associated shell companies owned by him and his wife. The victims, all adults, were found to have been compelled to work under exploitative conditions across multiple locations in Princeton, Melissa, and McKinney. Authorities seized various electronic devices, printers, and fraudulent documents during the execution of search warrants at various sites linked to the case.
Princeton Police Sgt. Carolyn Crawford stated that the investigation involved over 100 persons, with a significant portion being identified as victims of the trafficking operation. The nature of the labor imposed on the victims has not been fully disclosed by authorities.
The case has raised alarm about human trafficking practices within Indian-American communities in the United States. Authorities have indicated that additional arrests are anticipated as the investigation continues to unfold.
Human trafficking, particularly labor exploitation, remains a serious issue globally and within the United States, drawing widespread condemnation and stringent legal penalties. The arrested persons face charges of trafficking of persons, a second-degree felony, under Texas law.
The Princeton Police Department, along with collaborating agencies, continues to urge anyone with information regarding this case or similar incidents to come forward.
