Indians held in Thailand human trafficking ring

Forty Indian nationals have been detained as part of a human trafficking ring that tried to send them to third countries to work illegally, police said today. The Indians were detained in Bangkok last night as they prepared to head to the airport for departure to new destinations, police said.

Twenty eight of the detainees would be prosecuted for overstaying their visas in Thailand, while the 12 others would be charged for breaching other aspects of immigration law, police said, adding that all would be blacklisted from travelling to Thailand.

‘‘None of them had ever travelled abroad before, they had no money… and they confessed that they contacted an agent to help secure passage to third countries,’’ police said in statement.

Police said 14 fake registration cards for shipping crews were also found in the suspects’ possession. Authorities said they would further their investigations.