Crime
Two men accused of allegedly traveling from California to Massachusetts with cocaine and methamphetamine valued at over $10.5 million
BOSTON – Two Indian nationals were indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston yesterday in connection with the distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Justice, 28-year-old Simranjit Singh and 19-year-old Gusimrat of Fresno, Calif. were each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Both men were arrested on July 29, 2024 and have remained in federal custody since their arrests.
According to the charging documents, investigators became aware of a California-based drug-trafficking organization (“DTO”) interested in transporting methamphetamine and other drugs to Boston. A member of the DTO agreed to sell 65 pounds (approximately 30 kilograms) of methamphetamine to undercover agents. On July 29, 2024, at approximately 10:15 p.m., a white tractor trailer arrived at a planned Andover address to deliver methamphetamine to the undercover agents. The driver and passenger of that tractor trailer, later identified as Gusimrat Singh and Simranjit Singh, allegedly handed off 65 pounds of suspected methamphetamine to the undercover agents. The men were immediately taken into custody.
According to court documents, while searching the cab of the tractor trailer, over 400 kilogram bricks of suspected cocaine was discovered, worth more than $10.5 million.
The charges provide for a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $10,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, in New England made the announcement today. Assistance was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Andover Police Department, Milton Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Hassink of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location.