Two Indian nationals are facing serious narcotics charges in the United States after authorities seized nearly 19 kilograms of dried poppy pods containing morphine from a private residence in New Jersey. Following laboratory confirmation of the controlled substance, criminal proceedings were initiated against both accused, while immigration authorities placed detainers on them — raising the possibility of deportation upon conviction.
The accused — Karanjit Singh (24) and Jagroop Singh (25) — were taken into custody after a coordinated enforcement operation. Investigators said the case began with an international shipment sent from the Netherlands to a residential address in Wood-Ridge, located in Bergen County.
Federal agencies intercepted the parcel in January and launched surveillance based on intelligence inputs. After securing a court-approved search warrant, enforcement teams conducted a raid on January 30, finding both men living at the property. During the search, officers recovered large quantities of morphine-mixed poppy pods along with materials allegedly linked to drug distribution.
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Prosecutors said laboratory tests confirmed the presence of morphine in the dried pods — a substance classified in the US as a Controlled Dangerous Substance. Both men have since been charged with second-degree possession with intent to distribute, a serious felony offence that carries substantial prison terms.
Following their arrest, the duo were lodged at Bergen County Jail and produced before the Bergen County Superior Court. Court records show Karanjit Singh was granted conditional release pending further hearings, while Jagroop Singh remains in custody.
Meanwhile, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has filed immigration detainers against both accused. This allows federal authorities to assume custody once the criminal case concludes. As neither individual is a US citizen, a conviction could trigger formal removal proceedings.
Law enforcement officials said the investigation forms part of a broader effort to dismantle international drug supply chains that exploit commercial shipping routes and residential addresses. Authorities noted that dried poppy pods are often marketed online as “decorative” or “herbal” products, but can be processed to extract opioids such as morphine — making them a growing focus of narcotics enforcement.
The case also underscores the expanding footprint of cross-border drug trafficking. In a separate recent incident in Canada, an Indian-origin truck driver was charged after nearly 700 pounds of methamphetamine were allegedly recovered from his vehicle, highlighting the scale at which organised networks are operating across North America.
Officials said traffickers are increasingly relying on logistics corridors and private homes to move large quantities of narcotics, complicating detection and interdiction efforts.
New Jersey prosecutors confirmed that the probe remains ongoing, with investigators tracking financial trails and communication links to identify upstream suppliers and wider distribution networks.
“Seizing drugs is only the first step,” an official said. “The real challenge is reaching the operators and funding channels behind these consignments — that’s what prevents such rackets from resurfacing.”
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
