A Santa Clara man faces felony charges and possible deportation after he was allegedly caught with more than 300 pounds of cocaine.
Jasveer Singh, 30, of Santa Clara, and Gurpreet Singh, 25, of Fresno, stand accused of attempting to traffic the drugs that police estimate have a street value of more than $7 million.
At about 1:30 p.m. Jan. 3, Indiana State Police stopped a blue international semi tractor-trailer driving eastbound on I-70 near the 41-mile marker. The semi was headed east toward a routine Department of Transportation (DOT) compliance inspection, according to a press release from Indiana Gov. Mike Braun’s office.
“Indiana has zero tolerance for drug traffickers,” Braun wrote in the press release. “Through coordinated efforts with federal and local partners, the Indiana State Police are proactively stopping dangerous drugs from entering our communities and harming Hoosier families.”
Braun wrote that from “day-one” he has made public safety a priority for his administration.
Police intercepted the truck on its way from Joplin, Mo. to Richmond, Ind.
During a conversation with the driver, the suspects displayed “criminal indicators,” according to the release. The trooper then requested the assistance of a police dog. The dog’s reaction gave police probable cause to search the truck, which revealed 309 pounds of cocaine in the truck’s sleeper.
State troopers took the men into custody without incident. Due to prior pending removal proceedings, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a deportation hold on the suspects.
The arrests are part of an ongoing effort by the Indiana State Police to staunch the flow of drugs being transported across the state. Braun’s administration has emphasized the importance of combatting crime.
Police charged the men with dealing narcotics, a Level 2 felony in Indiana. Such felonies carry a 10-to-30-year prison term and the possibility of a fine of up to $10,000.
The men are being held at Putnam County Jail in Greencastle, Ind.
Indiana State Police Putnamville District, Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, ICE, and Curtis Garage and Wrecker Service assisted the Indiana State Police with the investigation.
Contact David Alexander at d.todd.alexander@gmail.com
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