Indian man arrested for smuggling 3,346 pounds of marijuana into US

An Indian national has been arrested for smuggling about 3,346 pounds of marijuana worth approximately USD 5 million into US from Cana, a US attorney said on Tuesday.

Arrested on charges of importing and possessing with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, Gurpreet Singh, 30, faces mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life sentence on being convicted.

Singh was arrested driving a commercial truck on Peace Bridge from Cana to US at Niagara Falls in upstate New York.

A commercial truck carrying 22 skids of peat moss and bearing Ontario, Cana license plates attempted to enter United States at Peace Bridge Port of Entry.

During primary inspection, Singh told a CBP Officer that he was transporting peat moss to Orange, Virginia, federal complaint said.

During secondary examination, officers observed five pallets of peat moss packaged in large white plastic positioned at rear of trailer.

Behind pallets were 58 large cardboard boxes in middle of trailer. Behind boxes were 14 ditional pallets of peat moss.

"Inspection of cardboard boxes revealed thousands of vacuum sealed bags containing suspected marijuana. total weight of suspected marijuana was approximately 3,346.35 pounds, with an approximate value of USD 5,000,000," official statement said.

In less than a week, this was second arrest of an Indian truck driver trying to smuggle marijuana into US.

"Despite current travel restrictions at our international crossings, criminal element has not curtailed ir efforts to profit from illicit drug trafficking," said US Attorney James P Kennedy.

Singh me an initial appearance before US Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and is being detained pending a detention hearing on June Wednesday.