'Enough To Kill 1,13,000 Americans': 2 Indians Arrested For Smuggling Cocaine In Indiana

Last Updated:January 08, 2026, 11:22 IST

Two Indian nationals were arrested in Indiana after authorities recovered 309 pounds of cocaine concealed inside a semi-truck operated by them during a routine inspection.

Indians arrested for smuggling cocaine in Indiana (Photos: Department of Homeland Security)

Two Indian nationals have been arrested in the United States after authorities recovered more than 300 pounds of cocaine concealed inside a semi-truck in Indiana, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said.

In a statement, DHS said US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged arrest detainers against the two men following their arrest by local authorities in Putnam County, Indiana, on charges related to narcotics trafficking.

The arrested individuals were identified as Gurpreet Singh, a 25-year-old male, and Jasveer Singh, a 30-year-old male, both citizens of India who were illegally present in the United States, according to the department.

ICE lodged arrest detainers against them on January 4, 2026, according to the department.

Law enforcement officials discovered 309 pounds of cocaine hidden in the sleeper berth of the semi-truck that the two men were operating.

The drugs were recovered during a routine truck inspection, DHS said.

The department added that both men were holders of commercial driver’s licenses issued by the state of California.

“With a lethal dose of cocaine being as little as 1.2 grams, that is enough to kill more than 1,13,000 Americans," DHS said in the release, underlining the scale of the seizure.

According to DHS, Gurpreet Singh illegally entered the United States on March 11, 2023, near Lukeville, Arizona, and was later released into the country.

The department said he admitted to law enforcement that he is a citizen of India and was in the US illegally.

Jasveer Singh, DHS said, illegally entered the United States on March 21, 2017, near Otay Mesa, California.

He was arrested on December 5, 2025, in San Bernardino, California, on charges of receiving stolen property.

ICE lodged an arrest detainer at the time, but DHS said it was not honoured, resulting in his release.

ICE said the detainers lodged in the Indiana case are intended to ensure that both men remain in custody and are not released back into the community while immigration enforcement actions proceed.

Meanwhile, commenting on the arrests, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin slammed California Governor Gavin Newsom and accused the state of enabling the suspects to operate commercial vehicles.

“Thanks to Gavin Newsom’s reckless policies, these two criminal illegal aliens were granted commercial driver’s licenses by the state of California and were arrested for trafficking a whopping 300 pounds of cocaine inside a semi-truck," McLaughlin said.

“Gavin Newsom and his fellow sanctuary politicians even refused to honour an arrest detainer on one of these criminal illegal aliens in December. Sanctuary policies put American lives at risk."

News world 'Enough To Kill 1,13,000 Americans': 2 Indians Arrested For Smuggling Cocaine In Indiana

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