Two Indian nationals were arrested in the US with contraband substances weighing over 430 kilograms, which are valued at USD 10 million. The arrests took place on July 29 in Andover, Massachusetts.
The perpetrators have been identified as Simranjit Singh, 28, and Gusimrat Singh, 19. They were caught with 32 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine and more than 400 kilograms of suspected cocaine.
The duo, residents of Fresno, California, have been ‘charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances’, an official statement stated.
Following their initial appearances in federal court in Boston on July 30, the Singhs are currently in federal custody.
As per the statement, investigators acted in an undercover capacity and began communicating with a member of the California-based drug-trafficking organisation after becoming aware that the DTO was interested in transporting methamphetamine and other drugs to Boston. Unaware of the investigators’ covers, the DTO member agreed to sell 32 kilograms of methamphetamine to the undercover agents.
“On July 29, 2024, at approximately 10:15 p.m., a white tractor trailer arrived at a planned Andover address to deliver methamphetamine to the undercover agents. The driver and passenger of that tractor trailer, later identified as Gusimrat Singh and Simranjit Singh, allegedly handed off 65 pounds of suspected methamphetamine to the undercover agents. The men were immediately taken into custody,” the statement read.
“The sheer amount of drugs seized in this one case is disturbing and dangerous. These defendants allegedly took a cross-country trip to distribute illicit narcotics into Massachusetts communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “I am grateful for our dedicated law enforcement partners who have worked so diligently to prevent harmful drugs from reaching our streets. Drug traffickers should beware: we will find you, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of federal law.”
Special Agent in Charge, Michael J. Krol, for Homeland Security Investigations in New England, said: “Seizures of this magnitude have a significant public health and safety impact on our local communities. These investigations are difficult and dangerous, yet it remains imperative that HSI continue to work with our partners to disrupt the flow of dangerous drugs into New England.”
The charge the Singhs are facing provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to USD 1,000,000.
