FBI arrests Indian national in California over Canada-linked drug trafficking case

Washington,UPDATED: Jul 23, 2026 08:54 IST

The FBI has arrested an Indian national, Harmanveer Singh, for his alleged role in drug trafficking linked to the Ravinder Dhanda gang, which is based in Canada. The arrest is part of Operation Hard Ball, a coordinated international action targeting gangs run by Lawrence Bishnoi, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Ravinder Dhanda.

Singh was arrested in Stockton, California, on Tuesday by officers of the California Highway Patrol, the FBI said on Wednesday. The agency said he was wanted for his alleged involvement in a transnational criminal organisation engaged in a conspiracy to distribute and possess controlled substances with intent to distribute, and a conspiracy to export controlled substances.

The FBI said the Ravinder Dhanda Organised Crime Group is based in Vancouver, Canada, and allegedly smuggled bulk quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine for drug trafficking organisations across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

On June 23, 2026, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Singh in the United States District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles, after he was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute, conspiracy to export, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Earlier this month, in a joint operation, law enforcement agencies in the United States, Canada and Europe arrested 24 people connected to three India-based transnational organised crime groups. Of them, 11 were arrested in California. In all, the US Department of Justice charged 37 people in the indictment as part of Operation Hard Ball.

The arrest of Singh is the latest step in Operation Hard Ball, which has led to action across multiple countries against alleged members and associates of the three organised crime groups.

With PTI Inputs

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