New anti-trafficking unit gets cracking

“We have formed a special unit within the Crime Branch to exclusively register such offences and investigate human trafficking and smuggling cases. The team was formed a month ago and is an ad hoc arrangement at this stage,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria.

The team comprises two police inspectors,two police sub-inspectors and eight constables. While the Social Service Branch of the Mumbai Police deals with human trafficking offences registered under the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act,the new unit will focus on immigration rackets to different nations.

In November 2007,Unit 1 of the Crime Branch busted major immigration rackets,in which people were smuggled to the US and UK. An airhostess was arrested along with a few policemen and officials from the postal department.

“The unit has been formed on orders from the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) and will focus on human smuggling cases. In the past,such offences were detected by other Crime Branch units. But keeping the workload on these units in mind,the need for a special unit was felt. The unit will be in a position to register and investigate such offences,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Enforcement) Sheela Sail,under whose supervision the unit functions.

“Certain formalities are being completed,and we will review the work done by the unit in some time. At present we are looking to set up a separate office for the unit,” said Sail.