Two Indian nationals living in the United States unlawfully were arrested in Indiana this weekend after state police reportedly discovered over 300 pounds of cocaine concealed in their semi-truck.
The bust has immediately intensified a high-stakes standoff between the Trump administration and California Governor Gavin Newsom regarding the issuance of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to undocumented migrants.
Indiana State Police stopped the vehicle in Putnam County on Saturday during a trip the drivers were reportedly making from Joplin, Missouri, to Richmond, Indiana. During a search of the cab, troopers found approximately $7 million worth of cocaine hidden within the sleeper berth.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified the suspects as 25-year-old Gurpreet Singh and 30-year-old Jasveer (Jasper) Singh. According to federal authorities, both men were holding valid CDLs issued by the state of California at the time of their arrest.
The seizure—which DHS noted contained enough narcotics to kill more than 113,000 people—has drawn sharp condemnation from federal officials who argue that California’s “sanctuary” policies are endangering public safety.
“Thanks to Gavin Newsom’s reckless policies, these two criminal illegal aliens were granted commercial licenses by the state of California and were arrested for trafficking a whopping 300 pounds of cocaine inside a semi-truck,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged detainer requests for both men. Officials highlighted the background of Jasveer Singh as a point of contention; he reportedly entered the U.S. illegally near Otay Mesa, California, in 2017. DHS records indicate he was arrested as recently as December 5 in the San Bernardino area for stolen property. Despite an ICE detainer request at that time, local authorities released him back into the community.
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Gurpreet Singh unlawfully entered the country near Lukeville, Arizona, in March 2023 and was subsequently released into the interior, according to DHS.
The arrests come amid a broader federal crackdown on foreign nationals operating commercial vehicles. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently warned California officials that the state risks losing nearly $160 million in federal funding if it fails to comply with a January 5 deadline to revoke commercial licenses held by foreign nationals who do not meet federal standards.
“California does NOT have an ‘extension’ to keep breaking the law and putting Americans at risk on the roads,” Duffy stated in December.
Federal authorities have pointed to a string of recent fatal accidents involving truck drivers in the country illegally as justification for the crackdown. These include an August crash in Florida where a driver allegedly made an illegal U-turn, killing three, and separate fatal incidents in California, Oregon, and Washington State late last year involving Indian nationals facing immigration enforcement.
Both suspects currently face charges related to drug trafficking and remain in custody pending further legal and immigration proceedings.
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