Princeton Police Issues Arrest Warrant Against Four Telugu Natives Over Human Trafficking: Report (image@sudhakarudumula)
The Princeton police in Texas are searching for four individuals of Telugu origin in connection with labour trafficking operation. The investigation started this March, has led to the issuance of arrest warrants. The police discovered that 15 women were allegedly coerced into working for several shell companies owned by Santhosh Katkoori and his wife, Dwaraka Gunda.
The arrest warrant was issued after analysing the electronic seized. The suspected individuals are Santhosh Katkoori (31), Dwaraka Gunda (31), Chandan Dasireddy (24) from Melissa, and (37) from Prosper.
On March 13, the police received a welfare concern report from the 1000 block of Ginsburg Lane in Collin County. The responding officers obtained a search warrant for the residence of NRI Santhosh Katkoori. Reportedly, the police found 15 police inside the home who claimed that they were forced to work for shell companies owned by Katkoori and Gunda. The women were living in a deplorable condition, and were forced to sleep on the floor amidst a house filled with computer electronics and blankets.
Read also: Hinduja Family Found Guilty Of Exploiting Staff; Sentenced To Over 4 Years In Prison
According to media report, the investigators revealed that the victims, which include both women and men worked as programmers. Police seized several laptops, phones, and fraudulent documents during the search. The investigation also brought out involvement of additional locations in Princeton, Melissa, and McKinney in the labour operation. More gadgets were confiscated from these sites.
An affidavit revealed that a pest control company was initially called to the house for a possible bed bug issue, and the inspector noticed multiple young females sleeping on the floors with large number of suitcases scattered around. The company contacted the police immediately, said Hyderabad Mail.
Princeton police Sgt. Carolyn Crawford stated that dozens of people are involved in the trafficking operation. Crawford said there would probably be over 100 people involved in this labour trafficking, and more than half of them are victims. Further arrests are expected as the investigation progress.
Read also: “Dirty Harry”, Man Linked To Gujarat Human Trafficking Arrested In Chicago
James Waters, the Princeton police Chief said that his team has been working with federal investigators for several months. “How we came across this situation was very unique. They would unravel just a multitude of other clues and a multitude of other scenes that was going out there”, he said.
The police did not specify about any of the suspects have retained attorneys. They anyone with information regarding the trafficking operation, or have been a victim to connect with the Princeton Police Department.
