Routine traffic stop uncovers hidden drug stash in semi-truck, spotlighting border security lapses and sanctuary policy fallout.
INCIDENT:
In a high-stakes bust on Interstate 70, Indiana State Police arrested two Indian nationals on January 4, 2026, after discovering 309 pounds of cocaine concealed in their semi-truck’s sleeper berth-a load potent enough to kill over 113,000 people. Gurpreet Singh, 25, and Jasveer Singh, 30, both undocumented and holding California commercial driver’s licenses, now face felony charges amid ICE detainers. The seizure, valued at $7 million, underscores vulnerabilities in U.S. border enforcement and fuels debates over immigration policies that critics say enable criminal networks to thrive.
FULL STORY:
The incident unfolded on a Saturday afternoon when an Indiana State Police trooper, part of the Drug Enforcement Section, pulled over a semi-truck for a routine compliance check on eastbound I-70 in Putnam County. The vehicle, driven by Gurpreet Singh with Jasveer Singh as passenger, was traveling from Joplin, Missouri, to Richmond, Indiana.
During the inspection, a K-9 unit alerted to the presence of narcotics, prompting a thorough search. Officers uncovered 309 pounds of cocaine stashed in the sleeper berth. The drugs, estimated at a street value of $7 million, were seized immediately. Both men were arrested on the spot and transported to Putnam County Jail.
Court records from Putnam County confirm the charges: Level 2 felony for dealing in cocaine and possession of cocaine, each carrying potential sentences of 10 to 30 years if convicted. Bonds were set at $1 million cash only, reflecting the severity of the offenses.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) quickly lodged detainers on both individuals, citing their undocumented status. Gurpreet Singh admitted to authorities he was in the U.S. illegally.
CONTEXT & BACKGROUND:
Cocaine trafficking remains a persistent threat in the U.S., with interstate highways like I-70 serving as key corridors for smuggling from southern borders to Midwest distribution hubs. Indiana has seen a spike in such seizures; state police reported over 1,200 pounds of cocaine intercepted in 2025 alone, often linked to Mexican cartels routing drugs through California.
Gurpreet Singh entered the U.S. illegally on March 11, 2023, near Lukeville, Arizona, and was released into the country under policies at the time. Jasveer Singh crossed illegally on March 21, 2017, near Otay Mesa, California. He had a prior arrest on December 5, 2025, for receiving stolen property in San Bernardino County, where an ICE detainer was ignored due to California’s sanctuary laws, allowing his release.
Both men obtained commercial driver’s licenses in California, raising questions about vetting processes for non-citizens in sensitive roles. The bust highlights broader issues: Since 2021, U.S. border encounters have exceeded 10 million, with critics arguing lax enforcement enables drug flows. The 309 pounds could deliver over 140,000 lethal doses, based on a 1.2-gram threshold, amplifying the human toll of the opioid and stimulant crisis claiming over 100,000 American lives annually.
This case’s significance lies in its intersection of immigration, drug policy, and state-federal tensions. It echoes similar busts, like a 2024 Indiana seizure of 200 pounds from a trucker, but stands out for the quantity and the suspects’ backgrounds amid heated national debates.