Feds: Truckers hauled hundreds of kilos of cartel cocaine on US-Canada freight lanes
FBI's Fresno investigation uncovered a cartel-linked trucking network hauling hundreds of kilograms of cocaine across US-Canada freight lanes, with a California restaurant operator indicted on 5 counts for distributing 18.7kg of meth from his business. The broader probe spans cargo theft, extortion, and human trafficking tied to long-haul trucking networks active since February 2025.
Organized crime embedding in commercial trucking is a structural supply chain risk, not an isolated incident — sellers relying on spot freight markets or unvetted brokers face rising in-transit theft exposure as enforcement pressure disrupts these networks.
Cargo theft is the direct seller exposure here — organized crime networks embedded in freight lanes increase the risk of in-transit inventory loss, particularly on cross-border and West Coast lanes. Sellers shipping high-value or high-density SKUs via third-party carriers should audit carrier vetting and check if their freight insurance covers theft linked to criminal networks.
Operational Impact
This story may require teams to revisit workflows, monitoring, or platform assumptions.
Bottom Line
Cartel-linked freight theft networks mean West Coast cargo lanes are higher risk.
Source Lens
Industry Context
Useful background context, but lower-priority than direct platform, community, or operator intelligence.
Impact Level
low
Cartel-linked freight theft networks mean West Coast cargo lanes are higher risk.
Key Stat / Trigger
18.7 kilograms of methamphetamine seized across two locations
Focus on the operational implication, not just the headline.
Full Coverage
Update, Sept. 8: The U. S. Attorney’s Office provided the indictment after publication. It contains five counts, not three. Federal prosecutors charged a California restaurant operator after agents seized more than 40 pounds of methamphetamine. Investigators found the drugs inside his residence and Hyundai Sonata, according to a federal affidavit.
Searches also uncovered three firearms, a digital scale and $11,800 in cash. The operation grew from a wider organized crime investigation involving long-haul truck drivers. A federal grand jury indicted Kawal Preet Singh, 50, on Sept. 3. The indictment contains five counts, including two methamphetamine distribution charges from May 12 and July 13.
Two additional counts accuse Singh of possession with intent to distribute on Aug. 18. Each drug count involves at least 500 grams of methamphetamine. A fifth count alleges he possessed an Accu-Tek handgun to further a trafficking offense. Singh operated a Round Table Pizza restaurant in Dinuba, California.
Authorities claim he distributed wholesale quantities from that business while armed with illegal firearms. window. googletag = window. googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag. cmd. push(function() {var gptSlot = googletag. defineSlot('/21776187881/FW-Responsive-Main_Content-Slot1', [[300, 100], [320, 50], [728, 90], [468, 60]], 'div-gpt-ad-1709668545404-0').
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display('div-gpt-ad-1709668545404-0'); }); Trucking network moved cocaine across borders The FBI’s Fresno Resident Agency opened its organized crime investigation during February 2025. Intelligence connected suspected participants with drug trafficking, extortion, human trafficking and cargo theft.
Agents received information about a Fresno-area narcotics trafficker called “Camy” during May 2026. An informant described Camy as a Sikh Indian man involved in long-haul trucking. The source claimed Camy worked with other Sikh Indian drivers who transported narcotics.
Investigators later developed evidence concerning hundreds of kilograms of cocaine entering from Mexico. The affidavit attributes those shipments to an unspecified Mexican cartel. Some loads reportedly continued through the United States before reaching Canada. Court records identify Singh as a subject within that broader inquiry.
However, the affidavit never explicitly identifies Singh as Camy. It also does not accuse him of personally hauling cocaine aboard commercial vehicles. Authorities disclosed no carriers, drivers, USDOT numbers, routes or border crossings.
Searches uncover methamphetamine and firearms A federal magistrate authorized searches involving Singh, his home and restaurant on Aug. 13. Agents watched him drive from his residence to the Dinuba business five days later. They approached after he unlocked the entrance and entered alone. Investigators then executed warrants at both locations around 11 a. m.
Agents seized Singh’s iPhone before interviewing him inside the restaurant. The affidavit states he acknowledged storing methamphetamine for a friend “because of friendship.” He also claimed he had not sold that drug for approximately two months. Investigators later found a photograph showing a white crystalline substance on his device.
The residence contained approximately 13. 8 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, court records show. His Hyundai held another 4. 9 kilograms that produced a positive presumptive result. Combined weight reached approximately 18. 7 kilograms, or more than 41 pounds. Agents found similarly packaged substances across the searched locations.
Investigators recovered two concealed handguns from the restaurant, including one unserialized weapon. The residence contained an Accu-Tek semiautomatic pistol, digital scale and $11,800 in assorted denominations. Authorities found cash plus that firearm hidden inside clothing within a closet near three methamphetamine bags.
An HSI agent called those circumstances consistent with bulk narcotics distribution. Prosecutors also seek forfeiture of proceeds, facilitating property, firearms and ammunition following any conviction. window. googletag = window. googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag. cmd. push(function() {var gptSlot = googletag.
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Audit your 3PL and freight carrier agreements now — confirm cargo theft coverage terms and whether your policy excludes losses tied to criminal investigations or network breaches.
In the next 30 days, flag any West Coast or US-Canada freight lanes in your shipping reports for elevated loss rates; request carrier compliance documentation from any broker moving cross-border loads.
Original Source
This briefing is based on reporting from Freightwaves. Use the original post for full primary-source context.
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