New York: Two Indian truckers have been arrested in the United States, with police seizing around 309 pounds (140.1 kg) of cocaine worth about $7 million.
Police intercepted a semi-tractor trailer during a routine traffic stop in Putnam County in the state of Indiana, reported US TV channel Fox59.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which identified the duo as Gurpreet Singh (25) and Jasveer Singh (30), said that the quantity seized was enough to kill more than 113,000 people.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said it had lodged arrest against Gurpreet and Jasveer detainers on January 4.
Charges related to narcotics trafficking were pressed, but the case has expanded into a broader debate on illegal immigration, commercial driver licences and federal and state tensions over enforcement amid focus on immigrant truckers in the US.
According to the Fox59 report, the truck was being driven by Gurpreet, of Fresno (California), and Jasveer, of Santa Clara (California), both described by authorities as Indian in origin.
DHS said Gurpreet and Jasveer had entered the US illegally in 2017 and 2023, respectively.
Jasveer was earlier arrested on December 5, 2025, in San Bernardino, California, for receiving stolen property. ICE had lodged an arrest detainer at that time, but the detainer was not honoured due to California’s sanctuary policies, and Jasveer was released from custody.
