A major drug bust at the New York border has led to the arrest of a Canadian resident of Indian origin, who was caught attempting to smuggle a staggering 109 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside a shipment of fabric softener. The accused, 31-year-old Vishavpal Singh, was charged with possession of drugs with the intent to distribute — a serious federal offense that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, with the potential of life imprisonment and a fine of up to $10 million. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo described the seizure as one of the largest in the history of international border crossings in the Western District of New York.
Authorities revealed that Singh had been transporting hundreds of pounds of cocaine across multiple U.S. states in a tractor-trailer. Federal agents, who had been monitoring his movements closely, intercepted the truck after it entered New York. A search of the vehicle uncovered 108 kilograms of cocaine concealed in boxes that were mixed within a large consignment of fabric softener. Officials emphasized that the seizure was a significant step in keeping illegal narcotics off the streets and dismantling networks that attempt to funnel dangerous drugs into American neighborhoods.
Investigations also linked Singh to an earlier seizure of 228 kilograms of cocaine in July 2025 at the Detroit Ambassador Bridge Port of Entry. In that case, another truck driver, identified as Pawanjit Gill, was arrested after large quantities of cocaine were found hidden in his commercial vehicle. Information gathered from Gill’s arrest eventually led investigators to Singh, who was already under close surveillance by federal agents. His movements within the United States raised further suspicions, prompting authorities to intervene at the right moment.
Following his arrest, Singh made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer. He is currently being held in custody, pending a detention hearing scheduled for August 19. According to documents filed by the Justice Department, the case falls under “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative aimed at eliminating cartels, transnational criminal organizations, and other violent crime networks. The operation draws on the combined efforts of the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods, strengthening the government’s resolve to combat large-scale narcotics smuggling and organized crime.