Source: Office of United States Attorneys
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Vishavpal Singh, 31, a citizen of India residing in Canada, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $10,000,000.
“This seizure represents one of the largest ever at international border crossings in the Western District of New York,” stated U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo. “The investigative efforts of our law enforcement partners is a very important step in preventing this vast amount of illegal narcotics from ending up on the streets of our community, and those attempting to smuggle this cocaine into our neighborhoods will be held accountable.”
HSI Buffalo Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan stated, “As alleged, Vishavpal Singh brazenly transported hundreds of pounds of cocaine through multiple states and into New York, where his cross-country trip was abruptly halted. with the assistance of eagle-eyed federal agents and officers, an investigation into Singh’s tractor trailer uncovered 108 kilos of cocaine inside boxes comingled within a large shipment of fabric softener. this arrest underscores the indispensable value of law enforcement collaboration, and i commend both CBP buffalo and HSI buffalo along with our partners across the country for their quick thinking and coordinated efforts.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Richard Antoine, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Singh was associated with a previous seizure of approximately 228 kilograms of cocaine in July 2025, at the Detroit Ambassador Bridge Port of Entry. An individual, identified as Pawanjit Gill, was arrested after bulk quantities of cocaine were found during an inspection of his outbound traveling commercial vehicle. Subsequent investigation determined that earlier that day, Gill met with Singh at a nearby travel center. HSI Port Huron alerted HSI Buffalo Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) that Singh was traveling within the United States. On the afternoon of August 13, 2025, Customs and Border Protection and HSI Buffalo BEST conducted an outbound inspection on Singh, who was operating a commercial tractor, at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry. During the inspection, CBP officers discovered boxes containing approximately 109 kilograms of suspected cocaine. Singh was taken into custody.
Singh made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is being held pending a detention hearing on August 19, 2025.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, and Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy. Additional assistance was provided by HSI Port Huron.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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