Chandigarh: The US authorities have arrested Harmanveer Singh, who is linked to a drug network involving Canada-based alleged drug lord Ravinder Singh Dhanda, in Stockton, California, bringing the total number of arrests under Operation Hard Ball to 28 across three federal indictments.The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said Harmanveer was captured on Tuesday by the California Highway Patrol two days after it issued a wanted poster. Wanted for conspiracy to distribute and export controlled substances, he was named in a federal arrest warrant issued in California on June 23. According to the FBI, the Vancouver-based Ravinder Dhanda organised crime group smuggled bulk quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine for drug trafficking networks across the US, Canada and Mexico. Unsealed on July 7, the indictments charge 37 defendants in a years-long federal investigation targeting Indian crime syndicates involved in racketeering, targeted killings, extortion and international narcotics smuggling. Initially, 24 defendants were taken into custody across the US, Canada and Europe, while law enforcement continues to seek 10 fugitives, with seven in the United States, two in India, and one in Europe. On July 16, Nitish Kaushal alias Lala, linked to the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria organised crime group, was arrested in Vermont while attempting to cross into Canada, two days after his FBI wanted poster was issued. Inspector Gurinderjit Singh Nagra was arrested by Punjab Police on July 17. The former Tanda (Hoshiarpur district) SHO was charged in the US indictment for attempting to extort $400,000 (Rs 3.8 crore) from an Indian family based in the US by threatening to implicate them in a murder case. Garinder Deo alias ‘Doctor’ was arrested in France on July 7 by Canadian authorities. Deo allegedly funded the Bhagwanpuria syndicate by purchasing bulk cocaine and heroin for US transit, including a 100kg shipment intercepted in June 2025. The FBI has also offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest of Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar, alleged North American leader of the Lawrence Bishnoi organised crime group. MSID:: 132581986 413 |
