Authorities in Putnam County, Indiana, arrested two Indian nationals, 25-year-old Gurpreet Singh from Fresno, California, and 30-year-old Jasveer Singh from Santa Clara, California, after discovering 309 pounds — approximately 140 kilograms — of cocaine concealed in the sleeper berth of their semi-truck during a routine inspection on Interstate 70 on January 3, 2026.

The seizure, valued at an estimated $7 million, represents one of the largest single cocaine hauls in recent Indiana history, with the Department of Homeland Security emphasizing that, based on a lethal dose as low as 1.2 grams, the quantity could potentially kill more than 113,000 people if distributed on the streets.

Both men, who held Commercial Driver's Licenses issued by California, face Level 2 felony charges for dealing narcotics; Immigration and Customs Enforcement promptly lodged detainers on January 4 to ensure deportation proceedings following local prosecution.

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DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin sharply criticized California's sanctuary policies, noting that the men were able to obtain CDLs despite their illegal status and that a prior detainer on Jasveer Singh for a December 2025 arrest involving stolen property was not honored, allowing his release back into the community.

Gurpreet Singh illegally crossed the U.S. border near Lukeville, Arizona, in March 2023 and was released under prior administration policies, while Jasveer Singh entered illegally near Otay Mesa, California, in March 2017; the case underscores ongoing concerns about drug trafficking networks exploiting commercial trucking routes across state lines.

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