A routine highway inspection in the US state of Indiana has exposed a major drug trafficking operation, leading to the arrest of two Indian-origin truck drivers after authorities recovered more than 300 pounds of cocaine hidden inside their semi-truck.
The incident has not only raised alarms over drug smuggling routes using commercial vehicles. It has also sparked a fresh political debate around immigration enforcement, sanctuary policies, and the issuing of commercial driving licenses in the United States.
Cocaine Hidden in Sleeper Berth of Semi-Truck
Local authorities in Putnam County, Indiana, stopped a semi-truck for a routine inspection earlier this month. What began as a standard safety check quickly escalated after officers discovered suspicious indicators during the inspection.
A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 309 pounds of cocaine, concealed inside the sleeper berth of the truck. Officials stated that the amount seized was extremely hazardous.
“With a lethal dose of cocaine being as little as 1.2 grams, that is enough to kill more than 113,000 Americans,” the US Department of Homeland Security said in its statement.
Who Are the Indian Accused Truck Drivers?
The arrested individuals have been identified as 25-year-old Gurpreet Singh and 30-year-old Jasveer Singh, both Indian nationals. Following their arrest by local authorities, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged detainers against them on January 4 to ensure they remain in custody.
Both men were operating the semi-truck using Commercial Drivers’ Licenses issued by the state of California, a fact that has drawn sharp criticism from federal officials.
Immigration History Under Scrutiny of Indian Truck Drivers
According to federal authorities, Gurpreet Singh illegally entered the United States on March 11, 2023, near Lukeville, Arizona. Officials said he later admitted to being a citizen of India and acknowledged entering the country unlawfully before being released into the US.
Jasveer Singh reportedly entered the US earlier, on March 21, 2017, near Otay Mesa, California. His case has drawn additional attention due to previous interactions with law enforcement that did not result in immigration detention.
Political Row Over California Licenses and Sanctuary Policies
The case has quickly taken a political turn, with DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin sharply criticising California Governor Gavin Newsom over state policies.
“Gavin Newsom and his fellow sanctuary politicians even refused to honour an arrest detainer on one of these criminal illegal aliens in December,” McLaughlin said.
She further warned, “Gavin’s sanctuary policies are putting American lives at risk.”
Federal officials have argued that allowing individuals without legal immigration status to obtain commercial licenses enables criminal networks to exploit interstate trucking routes for drug trafficking.
Authorities believe the seizure highlights how organised drug networks increasingly rely on commercial transportation to move large quantities of narcotics across state lines. The volume of drugs recovered suggests the involvement of a broader supply chain rather than a standalone operation.
Unrelated Arrest Adds to Broader Security Concerns
In a separate incident, authorities recently arrested a 22-year-old India-origin student on charges of arson and making terroristic threats against family members. The accused, identified as Lella, allegedly attempted to set a house on fire days before the arrest, adding to concerns about public safety cases involving recent arrests of foreign nationals.
Both Gurpreet Singh and Jasveer Singh remain in custody as federal authorities pursue drug trafficking charges and immigration action. Investigators continue to probe the origin and intended destination of the cocaine, as well as possible links to larger criminal networks.
The case is expected to remain in focus as debates intensify over immigration policy, public safety, and interstate drug trafficking in the US.
