{"id":61127,"date":"2026-07-07T17:27:06","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T00:27:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=61127"},"modified":"2026-07-07T17:29:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T00:29:40","slug":"24-arrested-in-global-crackdown-on-india-based-organized-crime-gangs-linked-to-murder-drug-trafficking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=61127","title":{"rendered":"24 Arrested in Global Crackdown on India-Based Organized Crime Gangs Linked to Murder, Drug Trafficking"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"MalletLOS ANGELES<\/strong> \u2014 Federal authorities announced the arrest of 24 defendants<\/strong> in the United States, Canada and Europe following a years-long investigation into three India-based transnational organized crime<\/strong> organizations accused of racketeering<\/strong>, drug trafficking<\/strong>, extortion, targeted killings and other violent crimes, officials announced Tuesday.<\/span><\/p>\n

The coordinated enforcement action, known as Operation Hard Ball<\/strong>, resulted in the unsealing of three federal indictments charging 37 defendants<\/strong>, including two alleged crime bosses who authorities say directed global criminal enterprises from prisons in India. <\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Investigators seized approximately 1,000 kilograms of cocaine<\/strong>, one kilogram of heroin, about $40,000 in cash<\/strong>, and a dozen firearms while executing 34 search warrants in California.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Fact Checklist<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
    \n
  • \u2705 24 defendants arrested<\/strong> in the United States, Canada and Europe.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • \u2705 37 defendants charged<\/strong> in three federal indictments.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • \u2705 Operation known as Operation Hard Ball<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • \u2705 Investigation targets three India-based transnational organized crime<\/strong> groups.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • \u2705 Authorities seized 1,000 kilograms of cocaine<\/strong>, heroin, cash and firearms.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • \u2705 Indictments include allegations involving racketeering<\/strong>, drug trafficking<\/strong>, murder, extortion and weapons offenses.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • \u2705 Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    \n

    Three Criminal Enterprises Charged<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Bishnoi Enterprise<\/span><\/h4>\n

    \"\"Federal prosecutors allege Lawrence Bishnoi<\/strong>, 33, led a worldwide criminal organization responsible for political assassinations<\/strong>, murders, kidnappings, extortion, drug trafficking<\/strong>, human smuggling and racketeering. Authorities allege Bishnoi directed operations from prison using contraband communications devices.<\/span><\/p>\n

    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<\/strong> ordered the killing. <\/span><\/p>\n

    The indictment also alleges extortion schemes targeting victims in Los Angeles and Thousand Oaks and the theft of more than 520 kilograms of cocaine<\/strong> from rival traffickers.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Bhagwanpuria Enterprise<\/span><\/h4>\n

    A second indictment charges Jaggu Bhagwanpuria<\/strong>, 38, and 16 others with operating an international criminal organization involved in murder-for-hire<\/strong>, drug trafficking<\/strong>, kidnappings, extortion, weapons trafficking and corruption. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Prosecutors allege the organization maintained more than 1,000 members and associates worldwide<\/strong>, including more than 100 in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Authorities allege members used corrupt law enforcement officials in India to intimidate rivals and facilitate extortion while trafficking narcotics and firearms through Southern California.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Dhanda Drug-Smuggling Network<\/span><\/h4>\n

    A third indictment accuses Ravinder Singh Dhanda<\/strong>, 57, and 10 others of transporting hundreds of kilograms of cocaine<\/strong> and methamphetamine<\/strong> each week from Southern California into Canada using long-haul trucks and other commercial vehicles. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Prosecutors specifically allege the organization smuggled more than 430 kilograms of cocaine<\/strong> between July 2023 and November 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Authorities said the investigation involved agencies in the United States, Canada and Spain and remains ongoing. <\/span><\/p>\n

    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.<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    LOS ANGELES \u2014 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,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36761,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61127","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n24 Arrested in Global Crackdown on India-Based Organized Crime Gangs Linked to Murder, Drug Trafficking<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Twenty-four suspects were arrested across the United States, Canada, and Europe after a multinational investigation into India-based organized crime groups accused of murder, drug trafficking, extortion, and racketeering.\" \/>\n<meta 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