Federal authorities in California have dismantled what they describe as one of the most sophisticated cargo-theft operations in recent years. Twelve individuals, several of them Punjabi youths, have been indicted for allegedly stealing millions of dollars’ worth of freight from trucking and logistics companies across the state. The operation, known as the “Singh Organization,” is accused of posing as legitimate trucking firms to secure freight contracts and then disappearing with the shipments before delivery.
According to investigators, the group operated between March 2021 and June 2025, focusing on high-value goods such as electronics, appliances, and consumer merchandise. Using falsified credentials, fake Department of Transportation numbers, and hijacked company identities, the accused managed to win real shipping contracts from unsuspecting logistics firms. Once the goods were loaded onto their trucks, the cargo would be diverted, sold through underground networks, or redistributed through illegal markets across California and other states.
Authorities have identified the twelve defendants as Paramvir Singh of Rancho Cucamonga, Sandeep Singh of San Bernardino, Mandeep Singh and Ranjodh Singh of Bakersfield, Gurnaik Singh Chauhan of Fontana, Harpreet Singh and Arshpreet Singh of Rancho Cucamonga, Bikramjeet Singh of Sacramento, Vikramjeet Singh and Narayan Singh of Fontana, Himmat Singh Khalsa of Renton, Washington, and Elgar Hernandez of Fontana. Many of the accused share Punjabi heritage, leading to widespread discussion within the Punjabi-American community. However, federal officials have clarified that the case is strictly criminal in nature and unrelated to ethnicity or religion.
The accused have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit theft from interstate and foreign shipments, and criminal forfeiture of assets obtained through illegal means. If convicted, each faces up to twenty years in federal prison along with heavy fines and restitution for the stolen goods. Authorities have already seized several trucks, trailers, and warehouses linked to the crime, and portions of the stolen cargo have been recovered. Investigators estimate that total losses run into multiple millions of dollars.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the Department of Transportation and local sheriff’s offices, conducted the four-year-long investigation that spanned several U.S. states. A federal spokesperson said the arrests should serve as a warning to others involved in organized freight theft, stressing that the trucking industry is the backbone of America’s supply chain and must be protected from criminal exploitation. Officials also noted that the suspects used sophisticated methods, including encrypted communications and falsified documents, to avoid detection—indicating that this was far from an ordinary theft ring.
The news has sparked concern and disappointment within California’s Punjabi community, where trucking is one of the most respected and common professions. Community leaders have urged the public not to generalize or tarnish the image of Punjabi truckers, most of whom are known for their hard work and integrity. One Fresno-based trucking company owner expressed dismay, saying that while the case is serious, it should not overshadow the contributions of thousands of honest Punjabi drivers who keep America’s highways moving.
As of now, several of the accused remain in federal custody, while others have been released under strict conditions pending trial. The hearings are expected to begin later this year in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Investigators say that more arrests could follow as they continue to trace the stolen shipments and uncover potential financial links abroad. Federal authorities have vowed to pursue every lead until the entire network behind the multi-million-dollar cargo theft scheme is exposed.