Gujranwala FIA arrests 814 suspects

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (Gujranwala zone) has arrested 814 men involved in various crimes during 2023.

At least 533 suspects involved in visa frauds and human trafficking were arrested in the Gujranwala zone . FIA officials said six suspects involved in electricity and gas theft were arrested too. 

Among the arrested, 93 were proclaimed offenders and three were included in Red Book which is made for most wanted human traffickers. The FIA shared that the arrested including 94 suspects and facilitators were involved in the Libya/Greece boat accident. This year, 858 cases were registered against human traffickers and 882 cases were investigated and Challans were submitted while 56 human traffickers were convicted.

In a bribery case registered by the FIA Gujranwala, a court sentenced the accused to 5 years imprisonment and 29 lakh fine. Strict screening has been started at the Sialkot airport to prevent incidents like Greece. According to the FIA Gujranwala, special training was given to immigration officials regarding passenger profiling. Checking of passengers’ baggage was also ensured in collaboration with other law-enforcement agencies. This year, a crackdown was launched on the elements involved in illegal currency exchange and Hundi. The Gujranwala zone conducted 34 raids on the elements involved in illegal currency exchange. As a result of the raids, 34 cases were registered and 80 accused were arrested. During the raids, 32,191 dollars and other foreign currency worth more than 4 crore 39 lakh rupees were recovered. Rs 14.14 million were also recovered. The arrested were involved in currency exchange without licence.

In various inquiries by the Evacuee Trust Property Board, properties worth more than Rs 5 crore 81 lakh were disposed of. This year, the FIA conducted an operation at the Sialkot airport and registered cases against human smugglers by offloading 43 passengers on fake documents. At least 73 accused wanted by law-enforcement agencies were handed over to them. All resources were being used to arrest all the accused, said the FIA spokesperson.