Federal officials apprehended two dozen suspects linked to three India-based transnational organized crime groups, including members operating in California and Indiana.
According to the US Attorney’s Office, the arrests are part of a years-long government investigation known as “Operation Hard Ball” that took place in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
“These criminal organizations have engaged in widespread violence, including targeted killings, extortion, and kidnappings,” U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated during a press conference on Tuesday. “The organizations have flooded communities around the country with massive quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine.”
Officials say 11 of the 24 arrests occurred in California.
Sky5 flew over Highland Park on Tuesday as DEA and FBI officials executed warrants along South Avenues 55 and 56. A video shows numerous persons being apprehended.
According to KTLA’s Jennifer McGraw, at least one person has been apprehended in the Los Angeles area, and authorities are seeking to confirm the individual’s identify.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, the 24 arrests occurred in the following locations:
- California, 11 suspects
- Indiana, 1 suspect
- Georgia, 1 suspect
- Canada, 3 suspects
- Spain, 1 suspect
- Already in custody, 7 suspects
The suspect apprehended in Indiana is Gurpreet “Harman” Singh. He was hauled into arrest in Greenwood, Indiana. Prior to the clarification supplied by FBI Indianapolis, this item mentioned a different suspect’s name.
The accused are identified in three indictments released by federal prosecutors, which charge 37 people with racketeering, extortion, and narcotics trafficking. Two defendants allegedly managed global crime syndicates while imprisoned in India.
“The organizations have preyed in particular on communities in the United States and Canada with ties to India,” Essayli stated, “and routinely extorted these individuals and their family members in India by threatening them with physical harm and death.”
Agents are still looking for many fugitives, including seven in the United States, two in India, and another in Europe.
Authorities carried out 11 search warrants in Los Angeles and 23 more in Sacramento, according to officials.
As part of the investigation, officials said they seized around 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of heroin, $40,000 in cash, and a dozen guns.
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