Two Indian nationals are facing federal drug charges after their tractor trailer was stopped in Andover July 29 and found to contain 32 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine and 400 kilograms of suspected cocaine.
The drugs had an estimated street value of more than $10 million.
Simranjit Singh, 28, and Gusimrat Singh, 19, of Fresno, Calif. were each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Both men made initial appearances on July 31 in federal court in Boston and remain in federal custody.
According to the charging documents, investigators became aware of a California-based drug-trafficking organization interested in transporting methamphetamine and other drugs to Boston. Undercover investigators began communicating with a member of the organization, who agreed to sell 65 pounds (approximately 32 kilograms) of methamphetamine to the undercover agents.
On July 29, 2024, at approximately 10:15 p.m., a white tractor trailer arrived at an 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.
“Seizures of this magnitude have a significant public health and safety impact on our local communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “These investigations are difficult and dangerous, yet it remains imperative that HSI continue to work with our partners to disrupt the flow of dangerous drugs into New England.”
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1,000,000. 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.