Two Indian truckers from Canada have been busted in the US for carrying more than $40 million worth of drugs. Illinois State Police arrested 27-year-old Vanshpreet Singh and 36-year-old Manpreet Singh, both from Ontario Canada, in the $40M+ of cocaine bust during Henry County traffic stop. Cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $40 million dollars has been seized from a semi on Interstate 80 near the Quad Cities on Friday, according to Illinois State Police.

By PD Raj – Senior Reporter DESIBUZZCanada

NEW YORK – Two Indian truckers from Canada have been busted in the US for carrying more than $40 million worth of drugs.

Illinois State Police arrested 27-year-old Vanshpreet Singh and 36-year-old Manpreet Singh, both from Ontario Canada, in the $40M+ of cocaine bust during Henry County traffic stop.

Cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $40 million dollars has been seized from a semi on Interstate 80 near the Quad Cities on Friday, according to Illinois State Police.

The cocaine seized from the Volvo truck-trailer semi-trailer combination was 1,146 pounds, ISP said in a release.

The discovery was made as a trooper was inspecting the semi on I-80 in Henry County about 2:10 p.m. Friday.

State Police arrested 27-year-old Vanshpreet Singh and 36-year-old Manpreet Singh, both from Ontario Canada, for possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, and cocaine trafficking.

While many are suspecting that the drugs were linked to Mexican drug cartels and Canadian gangs but Illinois State and federal U.S. authorities had no comment Monday on the prospect of any international connections in the bust.

Illinois State police referred all questions to the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, and the department did not respond to inquiries.

“ISP’s coordinated focus on trafficking is helping keep dangerous drugs out of our communities,” Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly said in a prepared statement. “From commercial motor vehicle inspections, to daily patrol, to targeted anti-violence and trafficking details, ISP is making communities safer.”

The two Indian truckers from Ontario were taken to the Henry County Jail pending a pre-trial release hearing. 

Global Affairs Canada previously told the Toronto Star newspaper it was aware the two men had been detained and that consular officials had been in touch with local authorities.

CNN has previously reported that Canadian truckers are increasingly being found to be involved in the illegal drug trade. The Chicago area has been connected to cartels and the illegal drug trade repeatedly over the past decade. In September 2023, the son of cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was extradited to Chicago by Mexican navy marines to face drug charges.