FBI names Punjab police officer in crackdown on Jaggu Bhagwanpuria crime syndicate

After months of investigation, US authorities have accused a serving Punjab police officer of helping the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria organised crime syndicate extort money by threatening families with false murder cases.

The allegations are part of a major international crackdown announced by the US Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which has targeted three India-based transnational criminal groups operating across North America.

The development comes as the FBI also announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest of Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar, who is wanted for his alleged involvement in the Lawrence Bishnoi organised crime group.

The agency said the Bishnoi network has been linked to violent crimes across the United States and Canada, highlighting the wider international effort against Indian-origin organised crime groups.

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Punjab police officer accused in extortion plot

According to federal indictments unsealed in Los Angeles as part of Operation Hard Ball, Punjab police officer Gurinderjit Singh, also identified in some reports as Gurinderjit Singh Nagra, allegedly worked with members of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria syndicate to threaten victims and extract money by using the criminal justice system.

US court documents allege that in April 2026, Gurlal Singh, a 22-year-old Indian national living illegally in Stockton, California, and an alleged member of the Bhagwanpuria gang, shared details of one of the syndicate's targets with Gurinderjit Singh, who was serving as a station house officer in Punjab.

Investigators say the police officer then contacted the victim's father and threatened to implicate the entire family, including the victim's sister, in the January 2026 murder of a man identified in court documents only as "B.S."

The FBI alleges that on April 13, 2026, Gurinderjit warned the family that murder charges would be filed against them. Three days later, he allegedly demanded money, saying the family would otherwise be named as accused in the case.

Even after Punjab Police publicly linked the family to the murder during a press conference in May 2026, the officer allegedly continued demanding money, telling the victims that gang members were unhappy because they had "not paid the whole amount" that had been agreed upon.

Global crime network under scanner

The indictments state that the Bhagwanpuria syndicate relied on "corrupted law enforcement officers in India" and other government officials to intimidate rivals and support extortion operations by filing false criminal cases.

The allegations were revealed as US authorities announced charges against 37 defendants linked to three major India-based organised crime groups — the Lawrence Bishnoi enterprise, the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria enterprise, and the Ravinder Singh Dhanda group.

Investigators said the organisations were involved in racketeering, extortion, murder-for-hire, firearms trafficking and large-scale narcotics smuggling across the United States, Canada and other countries.

Officials said at least 24 people have been arrested during the coordinated operation involving US, Canadian and European law enforcement agencies. During a press conference, US Attorney Bill Essayli said 15 of those arrested in the United States were living in the country illegally.

According to US authorities, Gurinderjit Singh has been charged but is not yet in custody. Officials said they intend to seek his extradition to the United States to face the charges.