Let's talk: editor@tmv.in
FBI Arrests Indian National Harmanveer Singh in California Drug Trafficking Case

FBI Arrests Indian National Harmanveer Singh in California Drug Trafficking Case

Yekkirala Akshitha
July 24, 2026

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Indian national Harmanveer Singh in Stockton, California, for his alleged role in a transnational drug trafficking network linked to the Ravinder Dhanda Organised Crime Group, marking the latest breakthrough in the multinational Operation Hard Ball crackdown on India-linked organised crime syndicates. Singh was taken into custody on Tuesday by officers of the California Highway Patrol, the FBI announced on Wednesday.

According to the FBI, Singh is accused of participating in conspiracies to distribute, possess with intent to distribute, and export controlled substances. A federal arrest warrant was issued against him on June 23, 2026, by the US District Court for the Central District of California after he was formally charged in the case. The FBI had earlier listed Singh on its wanted page under the aliases "Hari Gautam" and "Harman Sandhu" before his arrest.

Investigators allege the Vancouver-based Ravinder Dhanda network smuggled large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine for drug trafficking organisations operating across the United States, Canada and Mexico. US authorities describe the organisation as a major cross border narcotics network with links to wider organised crime activities.

The arrest follows the launch of Operation Hard Ball, a years-long multinational investigation led by the FBI with law enforcement agencies in the United States, Canada and Europe. Earlier this month, coordinated raids resulted in 24 arrests, including 11 in California, while the US Department of Justice charged 37 individuals linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Ravinder Dhanda crime groups. Authorities also seized over 1,000 kilograms of drugs, firearms and cash during the wider operation.

Singh's arrest is the latest enforcement action under Operation Hard Ball as investigators continue pursuing alleged members of transnational organised crime networks operating across North America.