US Sanctions Indian-Mexican National Over Global Human Smuggling Ring

Last Updated:October 30, 2025, 22:28 IST

US sanctioned Bhardwaj Human Smuggling Organization, leader Vikrant Bhardwaj, Indu Rani, and 16 companies for human smuggling, drug trafficking, and money laundering from Cancun.

The accused - Vikrant Bhardwaj and Indu Rani

US on Thursday sanctioned Bhardwaj Human Smuggling Organization (Bhardwaj HSO), a transnational criminal organisation (TCO) based in Cancun, Mexico, as well as its leader Vikrant Bhardwaj , his wife and 16 companies that have facilitated and profited from the HSO’s criminal activities.

According to the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Bhardwaj HSO, its leader Vikrant Bhardwaj, three other individuals, and 16 companies that have facilitated and profited from the HSO’s criminal activities.

“The Bhardwaj HSO has smuggled thousands of illegal aliens from Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Asia into the United States. In addition to human smuggling, the Bhardwaj HSO is involved in drug trafficking, bribery, and money laundering," the department said.

Vikrant Bhardwaj (Bhardwaj) is a dual Indian-Mexican national and the leader of the Bhardwaj HSO. Bhardwaj is the self-identified founder and chief executive officer of several companies in Mexico, India, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to the Treasury department, Bhardwaj collects and launders illicit money through his marinas and various businesses. It stated that Bhardwaj has been able to evade law enforcement authorities while continuing to profit from human smuggling and drug trafficking.

The department said that Bhardwaj’s wife, Indu Rani (Rani) is a dual Indian-Mexican national who is involved in her husband’s financial operations and serves as a co-shareholder of several companies in India and Mexico.

Regarding the company, the department said: “The Bhardwaj HSO is a sophisticated organization that has blended various transportation methods to facilitate the travel — by air and sea — of undocumented migrants from countries that pose national security concerns to the United States. The Bhardwaj HSO utilizes its own yachts and marinas to transport undocumented migrants into Mexico."

“Upon arriving in Cancun, the Bhardwaj HSO then facilitates housing for the migrants in hostels and hotels before coordinating with associates to transport the migrants to the U.S.-Mexico border," it added.

The US said the sanctions imposed on the people and the company “all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC".

“In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked," they added.

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