Two Indian truck drivers have been arrested in the United States after authorities recovered a massive quantity of cocaine from their vehicle during a routine highway inspection in Indiana. Officials said the seized drugs were “enough to kill more than 113,000 people,” underlining the scale of the bust.
The accused have been identified as Gurpreet Singh (25) and Jasveer Singh (30). According to US law enforcement agencies, the duo was transporting around 309 pounds of cocaine, estimated to be worth nearly USD 7 million. The incident came to light over the weekend when officers stopped their semi-truck for inspection.
A sniffer dog alerted officers to the presence of narcotics. A subsequent search of the sleeper berth revealed several cardboard boxes hidden under a blanket, which were later confirmed to contain cocaine. Court records cited by local media outlets detailed how the drugs were concealed inside the truck.
Both drivers were taken into custody and lodged at the Putnam County Jail. The Indiana State Police stated that the men face serious felony charges related to narcotics trafficking. Deportation holds have also been placed on them, indicating that immigration authorities are involved in the case.
During questioning, the accused claimed they were unaware of the contents of the cargo. They reportedly told investigators that their trucking company had instructed them to drive the truck to an Indian restaurant in Richmond and wait there for further instructions.
Authorities said Gurpreet Singh entered the US illegally in March 2023 through Arizona, while Jasveer Singh allegedly entered illegally from California in 2017. Jasveer had also been arrested last month in California in a separate case related to receiving stolen property.
Reacting to the arrests, the US Department of Homeland Security criticised California’s sanctuary policies, claiming they had enabled the suspects to obtain commercial driving licences. Officials said such policies pose risks to public safety and vowed strict action to ensure the accused are not released back into American communities.
