Four PIO agents arrested in US for trafficking and forced labor; 15 female ‘technicians’ rescued

HYDERABAD: Four months after federal police uncovered a human trafficking and “bonded labour” scheme, four people of Indian origin, including a couple, have been arrested in Princeton, Texas. As many as 15 women have been arrested for bonded labour for the accused. The nationalities of the women have not been revealed.

The accused have been identified as Santhosh Katkoori (31), his wife Dwaraka Gunda (31), Dasireddy Chandan (24) and Anil Male (37). Three of them, including the couple, are of Telugu origin. Princeton police said they were charged with human trafficking and second-degree felony.

A police investigation was launched in March after a pest control company was called to Katkoori’s home to deal with a bed bug infestation. The pest control team became suspicious after noticing five women were staying in each room and sleeping on the floor.

Princeton police officers arrived at their home on Ginsburg Lane in Collin County on March 13 after receiving a report of a “welfare concern.” “It was discovered that the women were being forced to work for Katkoori as programmers at shell companies owned by him and his wife Dwaraka,” police said in a statement Monday.

During the search, police found and seized several fraudulent laptops, cell phones, printers and documents. Police said they also found forced labor victims, including adult males, at several locations in the Princeton, Melissa and McKinney areas. Additional devices and documents were later seized at these locations.

“After all electronic devices were examined and details of the operations were confirmed, arrest warrants were issued Monday,” police said. Princeton police said the investigation is ongoing and there may be others involved. Police did not reveal where the women were from or whether they were part of the racket.