2 Truck Drivers Face ICE Holds After $7 Million Cocaine Seizure

India-West News Desk

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Indiana State Police say two commercial truck drivers from California were arrested after an estimated $7 million worth of cocaine was discovered during a routine traffic inspection on Interstate 70.

The driver and co-driver were taken into custody without incident and booked into the Putnam County Jail. They were identified as Gurpreet Singh, 25, of Fresno, California, and Jasveer Singh, 30, of Santa Clara, California. Both men face charges of dealing narcotics, a Level 2 felony under Indiana law. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation holds have been placed on each suspect.

The seizure occurred January 3 at about 1.30 pm, when a state trooper stopped a blue International semi tractor trailer traveling eastbound on I-70 near the 41 mile marker as part of a standard Department of Transportation compliance check, police said.

During the inspection, the trooper noticed criminal indicators while speaking with the driver, prompting additional investigation. A K-9 unit was called to the scene and alerted positively on the vehicle, giving troopers probable cause to conduct a search.

Police said approximately 309 pounds of cocaine were found concealed inside the sleeper berth of the truck. Authorities estimated the street value of the narcotics at about $7 million.

Investigators said the semi was traveling from Joplin, Missouri, to Richmond, Indiana, at the time of the stop.

Indiana State Police Superintendent Anthony Scott said the arrest underscores the importance of full time drug interdiction patrols on Indiana highways, noting that such operations are aimed at preventing illegal drugs from reaching communities across the state. The case was handled by a full time interdiction trooper assigned to the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section.

Police released booking photos of the suspects through the Putnam County Jail and also shared an image of the seized cocaine. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.