BUFFALO, N.Y. – Vishavpal Singh, 31, a Canadian resident originally from India, is facing a lifetime behind bars after federal agents discovered 109 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside a shipment of fabric softener at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry. Singh was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, a charge that carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a staggering $10,000,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo didn’t mince words, calling the seizure “one of the largest ever” at a Western District of New York international border crossing. “This wasn’t a rookie mistake,” DiGiacomo stated. “This was a calculated attempt to flood our streets with poison, and we’re sending a clear message: we will hold those responsible accountable.” The bust is a win for law enforcement, but a stark reminder of the relentless flow of narcotics across our borders.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan detailed the operation. “Singh brazenly transported hundreds of pounds of cocaine through multiple states,” she said. “His cross-country run ended thanks to the sharp eyes of our federal agents and officers.” The cocaine was cleverly concealed within boxes mixed in with a legitimate shipment, but CBP and HSI agents weren’t fooled. Keegan emphasized the critical role of interagency cooperation, praising the coordinated efforts of CBP Buffalo, HSI Buffalo, and partner agencies.
This isn’t a first-time offense for Singh. Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Richard Antoine revealed that Singh was linked to a previous cocaine seizure in July 2025 at the Detroit Ambassador Bridge, where 228 kilograms were confiscated from Pawanjit Gill. Investigators discovered Gill had met with Singh earlier that day. Alerted by HSI Port Huron, HSI Buffalo’s BEST team flagged Singh’s tractor-trailer, leading to the August 13th inspection and the discovery of the massive cocaine shipment. The connection to the Detroit bust paints a picture of a sophisticated, ongoing smuggling operation.
Singh made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is currently being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for August 19, 2025. The case is part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative aimed at dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations. The operation leverages resources from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection, with assistance from HSI Port Huron. It’s crucial to remember that these are allegations, and Singh is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But the evidence speaks volumes, and Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds, exposing the dark underbelly of drug trafficking and holding criminals accountable.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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