An Indian national was sentenced last week to over 17 years in prison after law enforcement officials arrested him for smuggling almost $8 million worth of MDMA, an illegal drug also known as “Molly,” across the border between the United States and Canada in April of 2023.
In a recent press release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington confirmed that Jaskaran Singh, a 31-year-old Indian national from Punjab, India, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice to over 17 years in federal prison for the possession with intent to distribute nearly $8 million worth of MDMA. The press release noted that the Indian national was in the United States after seeking asylum in the country.
According to the press release, evidence shown at Singh’s trial showed that three individuals “tripped motion sensor cameras in a remote area just south of the U.S.-Canada border” near the port of entry in Danville, Washington, at roughly 10:00 p.m. on April 29, 2023.
“United States Border Patrol officials saw that these individuals, who had illegally crossed into the United States from Canada, were carrying backpacks and a suitcase,” the press release stated. “Minutes later, Border Patrol officers saw a 2014 Honda Odyssey traveling on Fourth of July Creek Road. Agents responded to the area and stopped Singh, who was driving the rented Honda Odyssey away from the border and further into the United States.”
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After stopping Singh, Border Patrol agents discovered the backpacks that had been carried by the three unidentified individuals who tripped the motion sensor cameras near the port of entry. A search of the Honda Odyssey resulted in the seizure of 173.7 pounds of MDMA in the backpacks and a suitcase.
In addition to the seizure of the drugs, officials discovered a map of the area and encrypted messages on Singh’s cell phone. Despite the Indian national’s attempt to delete the app from his phone prior to his arrest, forensic investigators were able to recover the messages, which showed that Singh was instructed where to drive, when to arrive, and to “leave the back hood open” on the vehicle.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington explained that Singh purchased a plane ticket in California the day before attempting to smuggle the illegal drugs, flew to Seattle, rented the vehicle, and drove to the area where he picked up the drugs.
Addressing the case against Singh, U.S. Attorney Pete Serrano said, “This case is significant in so many respects, from the removal of this significant quantity of drugs from our streets, to the seamless cooperation of our federal partners at the northern border. I’m proud of our team and am grateful for the outcome of this case.”
