A trucker from Canada was arrested recently at a western New York border crossing when federal law enforcement officials there found some 238 pounds of cocaine in his load of fabric softener.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced Aug. 14 that Vishavpal Singh, 31, a citizen of India residing in Canada, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $10 million.
The seizure is one of the largest ever at international border crossings in the Western District of New York, according to U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Richard Antoine, who is handling the case, said that according to the complaint, Singh was associated with a previous seizure of approximately 500 pounds of cocaine in July at the Detroit Ambassador Bridge Port of Entry. An individual, identified as Pawanjit Gill, was arrested after bulk quantities of cocaine were found during an inspection of his commercial vehicle.
Subsequent investigation determined that earlier that day, Gill met with Singh at a nearby travel center. Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) officers in Port Huron, Michigan alerted HSI Buffalo Border Enforcement Security Task Force that Singh was traveling in the U.S.
On the afternoon of Aug. 13, Customs and Border Protection and HSI Buffalo conducted an outbound inspection on Singh, who was operating a commercial tractor-trailer, at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry. During the inspection, CBP officers discovered boxes containing the suspected cocaine. Singh was taken into custody.
Singh made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is being held pending a detention hearing Tuesday.
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