Two Indians arrested in Massachusetts, took cross-country trip to sell drugs

Two Indian nationals were arrested in Andover, Massachusetts, with over 32 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine and more than 400 kilograms of suspected cocaine, valued at over $10 million. Simranjit Singh, 28, and Gusimrat Singh, 19, both from Fresno, California, US, were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. The two are alleged to have undertaken a cross-country trip to distribute drugs.

Both the Indian nationals — Simranjit Singh and Gusimrat Singh — were arrested on July 29. They made their initial appearances in federal court in Boston and are currently in federal custody.

The investigation began when authorities identified a California-based drug trafficking organisation (DTO) planning to transport methamphetamine and other drugs to Boston.

Undercover agents communicated with a DTO member who agreed to sell 32 kg of methamphetamine.

On the night of July 29, a white tractor-trailer, driven by Gusimrat and Simranjit, arrived at a pre-arranged location in Andover, Massachusetts, to deliver the drugs to the undercover agents.

After they handed over the suspected methamphetamine, they were immediately arrested, according to the United States Attorney’s office.

During a search of the tractor-trailer’s cab, investigators discovered over 400 kilograms of suspected cocaine, with an estimated street value exceeding $10.5 million.

“The sheer amount of drugs seized in this one case is disturbing and dangerous. These defendants allegedly took a cross-country trip to distribute illicit narcotics into Massachusetts communities,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S Levy.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a supervised release period of at least three years up to life, and a fine of up to $1,000,000.