Washington, United States – Web Desk: Authorities in the United States, Canada and Europe have launched a major coordinated crackdown on alleged Indian transnational criminal networks, resulting in 24 arrests and 37 indictments, US officials announced.
According to the US Department of Justice, the operation, codenamed Operation HARD BALL, targeted three organized criminal groups allegedly involved in extortion, drug trafficking, contract killings, kidnappings and firearms smuggling across multiple countries.
Law enforcement agencies seized nearly 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of heroin, large amounts of cash and multiple firearms during the operation.
Patrick Gundy, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, said the criminal groups had spread “violence, fear and instability” within the East Indian community in California and other regions.
The US Department of Justice said the indictments include two suspects who allegedly continued directing international criminal operations while imprisoned in India.
Authorities added that 10 suspects remain at large, including seven believed to be in the United States, two in India and one in Europe.
US officials also alleged that the network’s suspected leader, Lawrence Bishnoi, continued issuing instructions for criminal activities from an Indian prison using satellite phones and internet-based communication.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue efforts to locate the remaining fugitives and dismantle the transnational criminal network.
