In a major drug bust, two men of Indian origin were arrested in the US state of Indiana after police discovered a massive haul of cocaine, valued at approximately $7 million, hidden inside their semi-truck.
The Routine Stop That Led to a Major Bust
The incident unfolded on Interstate 70 when a state trooper pulled over a blue International semi tractor-trailer for a standard transport department compliance inspection. The stop was initiated based on specific tip-offs suggesting the vehicle was carrying illegal narcotics. During the inspection at the 41-mile marker, the officer made a startling discovery.
Upon searching the sleeper berth of the large truck, the trooper found more than 300 pounds of cocaine. The sheer volume of the seizure immediately elevated the case from a routine check to a significant federal-level narcotics investigation.
Suspects in Custody Facing Serious Charges
The driver and passenger, identified as 25-year-old Gurpreet Singh and 30-year-old Jasveer Singh, were promptly taken into custody. Both individuals are residents of California. They are currently being held at the Putnam County Jail and face serious legal consequences.
Authorities have charged both men with dealing narcotics, which is classified as a level two felony in Indiana. Additionally, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed deportation holds on both suspects, indicating their immigration status is under scrutiny following the arrest.
Broader Context: California's CDL Controversy
This arrest has once again cast a spotlight on an ongoing controversy surrounding the issuance of Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL) in California. The state has faced criticism after several foreign-origin truck drivers holding Californian licenses were involved in serious crimes or found violating laws.
The issue gained national attention after a tragic accident in August 2025, when Harjinder Singh, an undocumented immigrant from India with a CDL from California, caused a fatal crash in Florida, killing three people after attempting an illegal U-turn.
This pattern prompted action from the federal government. The Trump administration had set a January 5 deadline for California to crack down on thousands of immigrants who had obtained licenses in the state. However, California authorities announced delays and pushed the move to cancel such licenses until March, a decision that has drawn criticism in light of recent events.
The latest arrest of Gurpreet Singh and Jasveer Singh adds fuel to the debate over the vetting process for commercial drivers in California and its implications for national safety and law enforcement.
