Authorities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe have apprehended 24 individuals linked to three Indian drug gangs that had operated in a context of rising immigration from India, which some critics say has negatively impacted local job markets.
This comes as Americans are already grappling with the challenges posed by Central American gangs like MS-13 and others. Past administrations had often welcomed these groups, which has now created a complicated situation.
The Department of Justice conducted a widespread operation on Tuesday, raiding 50 locations and resulting in substantial arrests.
Law enforcement across the U.S., Canada, and Europe have arrested 24 individuals tied to three Indian organized crime groups, including 11 in California. These individuals face various charges, including the assassination of a notable Indian political and religious figure in Canada this year, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.
The operation saw three suspects detained in Canada, one in Spain, with ten more still sought—seven in the U.S., two in India, and one in Europe.
The main focus is on the Bishnoi gang, which has established a significant presence in Canada. According to recent information:
A federal grand jury issued a nine-count indictment on July 1 against Lawrence Bishnoi, 33, a gangster from Punjab, who had previously been involved in college politics. Frustrated with the political landscape, he turned to crime, forming a vast network that spans multiple countries.
In his operations, Bishnoi is alleged to have coordinated political hits, murders, extortion, drug smuggling, and a variety of other crimes, even using smuggled devices to communicate from prison.
Arrests also extended to members of the Bhagwanpuria gang during the same operation.
The indictment details an incident from April 2026 involving Galal Singh, 22, from Stockton, California, who, as part of the Bhagwanpuria gang, was accused of threatening a victim and then falsely implicating the victim’s family to corrupt officials back in India. This led to wrongful accusations in a murder case against the victim’s whole family. Another gang member, Gurdev Singh, was alleged to have tried extorting his own family while in U.S. custody.
The operation also unveiled a Canadian Sikh drug smuggling ring allegedly overseen by Ravinder Singh Dhanda, whose network was involved in distributing large amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine across North America.
According to the indictment, Dhanda facilitated a drug distribution network supplying significant quantities to drug trafficking organizations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, using trucks to move these illegal substances over vast distances.
This Indian drug operation has reportedly been overlooked by lawmakers, raising concerns over the influx of immigrant truck drivers from India and the connection to rising crime rates in Canada. Some observers believe this trend has contributed to increased violent incidents in a country once regarded as peaceful.
