Two Canadian men are facing several charges in the US after allegedly smuggling cocaine worth millions of dollars.
According to a release, on November 29, an Illinois State Police (ISP) trooper stopped and inspected a Volvo truck-tractor semi-trailer combination on Interstate 80 eastbound in Henry County. During the inspection, the trooper “observed numerous indicators of criminal activity.”
Police discovered 1,146 pounds of cocaine with an approximate street value of over US$40 million (C$56 million). Homeland Security Investigations have been notified and are assisting with the investigation.
Illinois State Police (ISP)
Police said they’ve arrested two Ontario residents: 27-year-old Vanshpreet Singh and 36-year-old Manpreet Singh. The men face several Class X felony charges, including possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, and cocaine trafficking. A class X felony charge carries a prison sentence of six to 30 years, according to the Illinois General Assembly.
The men were then taken into custody and transported to Henry County Jail, where they’re waiting for a pre-trial release hearing.
In 2024, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized 175,000 pounds of marijuana, 174,000 pounds of methamphetamine, over 68,000 pounds of cocaine, and nearly 22,000 pounds of fentanyl.
US President-elect Donald Trump has promised a 25% tariff on products coming into the US from Canada and Mexico when he officially takes power as US president in January until drug and border security issues are addressed.
“As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing crime and drugs at levels never seen before,” he stated on the social media platform Truth Social.
“Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long-simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!”