NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Indianapolis, IN, January 9, 2025: Two Indian truck drivers have been arrested in the U.S. state of Indiana after authorities seized a massive quantity of cocaine hidden inside their commercial truck, officials said.
The arrest took place in Putnam County, where local law enforcement officers stopped a semi-truck for inspection. During the search, officers discovered 309 pounds (approximately 140 kilograms) of cocaine concealed inside the vehicle. Authorities estimated the street value of the drugs at about $7 million.
The suspects have been identified as Gurpreet Singh, 25, and Jasveer Singh, 30, both Indian nationals. Officials said the amount of cocaine seized was enough to cause fatal overdoses in more than 113,000 people, based on lethal dose estimates.
According to investigators, the men were operating the truck using California commercial driver’s licenses. They now face felony drug trafficking charges under Indiana law. Additional charges could follow as the investigation continues.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, has lodged immigration detainers against both men, ensuring they remain in custody while their immigration status is reviewed. Authorities said the two drivers allegedly entered the United States illegally—one in 2017 and the other in 2023.
Indiana officials praised the seizure, calling it one of the larger drug busts involving commercial trucking routes in the region. Law enforcement agencies said the case highlights the increasing use of freight vehicles by drug trafficking networks to move narcotics across state lines.
The arrests have also renewed debate over commercial driver licensing practices, immigration enforcement, and the exploitation of trucking routes by organized drug networks.
Both men remain in custody as they await further court proceedings.
