LOS ANGELES — Federal authorities announced the arrest of 24 defendants in the United States, Canada and Europe following a years-long investigation into three India-based transnational organized crime organizations accused of racketeering, drug trafficking, extortion, targeted killings and other violent crimes, officials announced Tuesday.
The coordinated enforcement action, known as Operation Hard Ball, resulted in the unsealing of three federal indictments charging 37 defendants, including two alleged crime bosses who authorities say directed global criminal enterprises from prisons in India.
Authorities arrested 13 suspects in the United States, three in Canada and one in Spain. Seven defendants already were in custody, while law enforcement continues to seek additional fugitives.
Investigators seized approximately 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of heroin, about $40,000 in cash, and a dozen firearms while executing 34 search warrants in California.
Fact Checklist
- ✅ 24 defendants arrested in the United States, Canada and Europe.
- ✅ 37 defendants charged in three federal indictments.
- ✅ Operation known as Operation Hard Ball.
- ✅ Investigation targets three India-based transnational organized crime groups.
- ✅ Authorities seized 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, heroin, cash and firearms.
- ✅ Indictments include allegations involving racketeering, drug trafficking, murder, extortion and weapons offenses.
- ✅ Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Three Criminal Enterprises Charged
Bishnoi Enterprise
Federal prosecutors allege Lawrence Bishnoi, 33, led a worldwide criminal organization responsible for political assassinations, murders, kidnappings, extortion, drug trafficking, human smuggling and racketeering. Authorities allege Bishnoi directed operations from prison using contraband communications devices.
Among the allegations is the June 18, 2023, assassination of a prominent Indian political and religious leader outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. Prosecutors allege Bishnoi and Satinderjeet “Goldy Brar” Singh ordered the killing.
The indictment also alleges extortion schemes targeting victims in Los Angeles and Thousand Oaks and the theft of more than 520 kilograms of cocaine from rival traffickers.
Bhagwanpuria Enterprise
A second indictment charges Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, 38, and 16 others with operating an international criminal organization involved in murder-for-hire, drug trafficking, kidnappings, extortion, weapons trafficking and corruption.
Prosecutors allege the organization maintained more than 1,000 members and associates worldwide, including more than 100 in the United States.
Authorities allege members used corrupt law enforcement officials in India to intimidate rivals and facilitate extortion while trafficking narcotics and firearms through Southern California.
Dhanda Drug-Smuggling Network
A third indictment accuses Ravinder Singh Dhanda, 57, and 10 others of transporting hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine each week from Southern California into Canada using long-haul trucks and other commercial vehicles.
Prosecutors specifically allege the organization smuggled more than 430 kilograms of cocaine between July 2023 and November 2024.
Authorities said the investigation involved agencies in the United States, Canada and Spain and remains ongoing.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. If convicted, many face mandatory minimum prison terms of 10 years to life, with possible maximum sentences of life imprisonment.