In a major drug bust, two Indian-origin truck drivers have been arrested in the United States for allegedly transporting a massive consignment of cocaine. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that the men, identified as Gurpreet Singh and Jasveer Singh, were taken into custody in Indiana after police discovered 309 pounds (approximately 140 kilograms) of cocaine hidden inside their semi-truck.
Illegal Entry and Blame on US Policies
The DHS revealed that both individuals had entered the United States illegally. According to officials, Gurpreet Singh illegally crossed the border near Lukeville, Arizona, on March 11, 2023. He was subsequently released into the country under the current administration's procedures, a policy critics label 'catch and release.'
Gurpreet Singh reportedly admitted to law enforcement that he was an Indian citizen residing in the US without legal authorization. The DHS statement directly linked his presence to the Biden administration's immigration policies.
The case of the second accused, Jasveer Singh, involves California's sanctuary laws. He entered the US illegally near California on March 21, 2017. Later, on December 5, 2025, he was arrested in San Bernardino, California, for receiving stolen property. At that time, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an arrest detainer against him. However, due to the state's sanctuary policies under Governor Gavin Newsom, the detainer was not honored, and Jasveer Singh was released back into the community. The DHS strongly criticized this decision.
The Massive Drug Bust and Police Operation
The arrest followed a tip-off to Indiana State Police troopers about drugs being transported in a specific semi-truck. The troopers stopped the vehicle driven by Jasveer and Gurpreet. During initial questioning, both men claimed they were unaware of the truck's contents.
They explained to the police that their trucking company had instructed them to take the empty semi to a nearby Indian restaurant and wait for a freight load. The drivers stated they had traveled separately to Joplin, Missouri, to board the truck. Initially, they did not oppose a search of the vehicle but changed their stance and resisted after calling their trucking company.
Despite the resistance, police conducted a search and made a staggering discovery. The 309 pounds of cocaine was concealed in the sleeper berth of the truck. The DHS highlighted the deadly potential of the seizure, noting that with a lethal dose of cocaine being as little as 1.2 grams, the confiscated drugs were 'enough to kill more than 113,000 Americans.'
Official Condemnation and Political Fallout
The incident has sparked significant political controversy. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a sharp statement blaming California's policies. "Thanks to Gavin Newsom’s reckless policies, these two criminal illegal aliens were granted commercial drivers licenses by the state of California and were arrested for trafficking a whopping 300 pounds of cocaine inside a semi-truck," McLaughlin said.
She further emphasized, "Sanctuary policies put American lives at risk. ICE law enforcement lodged arrest detainers to ensure these drug traffickers are not allowed back into American communities." The statement underscores the ongoing national debate in the US regarding immigration enforcement, sanctuary cities, and border security.
The case continues to develop as legal proceedings against Gurpreet Singh and Jasveer Singh move forward. The scale of the seizure marks it as one of the significant drug interdictions involving individuals of Indian origin in the United States.
