Authorities in France grounded a Nicaragua-bound plane carrying more than 300 Indian passengers on suspicion of human trafficking on Friday. The plane took off from the United Arab Emirates and was stopped as a result of an anonymous tip.
The Paris prosecutor’s office stated, “The plane carrying individuals likely to be victims of human trafficking was seized Thursday”.
“The national anti-organized crime unit JUNALCO has taken over the investigation”, the prosecutor’s office added.
“The A340, operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines, remained grounded on the tarmac at Vatry airport following its landing on Thursday”, the prefecture in the north-eastern department of Marne went on to say.
Legend Air operates a modest fleet of four aircraft, according to Flightradar.
“The plane had been due to refuel and was carrying 303 Indian nationals who had probably been working in the UAE”, the statement reads.
After landing in France, passengers were detained on the plane for a short while before being let out and given private cots in the terminal building.
Police had blocked off the entire airport.
The Vatry airport, located 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of Paris, mostly serves low-cost carriers.
Human trafficking is punishable by up to 20 years in prison in France.
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