Four months after federal police stumbled upon an alleged human trafficking racket and a “forced labour” scheme, four people of Indian origin, including a couple, have been arrested in Princeton, Texas. As many as 15 women were found to be working as forced labour for the accused. The nationalities of the women have not been disclosed.
The arrested accused have been identified as Santhosh Katkoori (31), his wife Dwaraka Gunda (31), Dasireddy Chandan (24), and Anil Male (37).Three of the arrested are of Telugu origin, including the couple. Princeton police said the accused were charged with trafficking of persons and second-degree felony.
A police investigation began in March after a pest control company was called to Katkoori’s home in March to tackle a bed bug infestation. The pest control team grew suspicious after noticing that five women were accommodated in each room, and sleeping on the floor.
Cops yet to reveal where women came from
Princeton police officers arrived at their residence in Ginsburg Lane, Collin County, on March 13 after they were tipped off about a “welfare concern”.
“It was found that the women were forced to work for Katkoori as programmers in shell companies owned by him and his wife Dwaraka,” police said in a statement issued Monday.
During the search, police found multiple laptops, cellphones, printers, and fraudulent documents and seized them. Police said they also came across forced labour of victims, including adult males, at multiple locations in the Princeton, Melissa and McKinney regions. More gadgets and documents were seized subsequently from these places.
“Once all electronic gadgets were examined and the details of the operations confirmed, arrest warrants were issued Monday,” police said.
Princeton police said the investigation is continuing and there could be more people involved. Police, however, have not revealed where the women came from or whether they were part of the racket.
The arrested accused have been identified as Santhosh Katkoori (31), his wife Dwaraka Gunda (31), Dasireddy Chandan (24), and Anil Male (37).Three of the arrested are of Telugu origin, including the couple. Princeton police said the accused were charged with trafficking of persons and second-degree felony.
A police investigation began in March after a pest control company was called to Katkoori’s home in March to tackle a bed bug infestation. The pest control team grew suspicious after noticing that five women were accommodated in each room, and sleeping on the floor.
Cops yet to reveal where women came from
Princeton police officers arrived at their residence in Ginsburg Lane, Collin County, on March 13 after they were tipped off about a “welfare concern”.
“It was found that the women were forced to work for Katkoori as programmers in shell companies owned by him and his wife Dwaraka,” police said in a statement issued Monday.
During the search, police found multiple laptops, cellphones, printers, and fraudulent documents and seized them. Police said they also came across forced labour of victims, including adult males, at multiple locations in the Princeton, Melissa and McKinney regions. More gadgets and documents were seized subsequently from these places.
“Once all electronic gadgets were examined and the details of the operations confirmed, arrest warrants were issued Monday,” police said.
Princeton police said the investigation is continuing and there could be more people involved. Police, however, have not revealed where the women came from or whether they were part of the racket.
