(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. – Federal authorities have arrested a Canadian resident accused of attempting to transport one of the largest cocaine shipments ever seized at an international border crossing in the Western District of New York.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that Vishavpal Singh, 31, a citizen of India living in Canada, has been charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10 million fine.
According to prosecutors, Singh was stopped at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry on August 13, 2025, while operating a commercial tractor. An outbound inspection conducted by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) revealed boxes containing approximately 109 kilograms (240 pounds) of suspected cocaine hidden within a shipment of fabric softener. Singh was taken into custody at the scene.
Officials allege Singh was linked to a prior July 2025 seizure in Detroit, where 228 kilograms of cocaine were discovered in another commercial vehicle. Investigators say Singh had met earlier that day with the driver in that case, Pawanjit Gill, at a nearby travel center before the drugs were found.
“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 that Singh allegedly transported the cocaine through multiple states before his arrest. “This underscores the indispensable value of law enforcement collaboration,” Keegan said, crediting CBP Buffalo, HSI Buffalo, and national partners for their coordinated efforts.
Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Richard Antoine is prosecuting the case. Singh made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is being held pending a detention hearing on August 19, 2025.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at dismantling drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations through the resources of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, and assistance from HSI Port Huron.
A criminal complaint is only an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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