FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Federal authorities have announced three indictments targeting three different transnational criminal gangs following a multi-year investigation that led to the seizure of more than 2,200 pounds of drugs and dozens of weapons.
The FBI said the coordinated operation resulted in 24 arrests in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, the execution of 50 search warrants, 37 defendants have been charged with offenses including racketeering, extortion and drug trafficking. Of those charged, 24 are in custody.
Three transnational organized crime groups that murder, maim, extort, and traffic drugs, leaving trails of pain and devastation in their wake.- US ATTY. Bill Essayli
Authorities arrested 11 people in California, including one person from Fresno. The FBI said it is still searching for 13 additional individuals connected to the case.
Prosecutors said the India-based criminal groups targeted communities with ties to the South Asian country.
According to authorities, the defendants are allegedly linked to murders, extortion and kidnappings, including the assassination of a Sikh leader in Canada.
Among those charged is a police chief in India who is accused of threatening to file false murder charges against victims in Los Angeles.
Investigators also alleged that one of the gangs used semi-trucks to transport large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine into the United States and Canada.
If convicted, many of the defendants would face a mandatory minimum prison sentence between 10 years in federal prison and life imprisonment, and a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
The FBI said the investigation remains active as authorities continue to search for the remaining suspects.
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
