Indian authorities collaborated with the United States and other international law enforcement agencies in a multinational investigation that resulted in racketeering charges against three organized crime groups. This cooperation was highlighted following the announcement of charges against 37 defendants associated with transnational criminal organizations involved in murder, extortion, kidnappings, and drug trafficking across North America and Europe. Operation Hard Ball led to the arrest of 24 suspects in the US, Canada, and Europe.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commissioner Lisa Moreland acknowledged the support received from Indian authorities during the extensive probe. She emphasized the joint efforts with the FBI and other agencies in addressing the criminal activities. The investigation revealed the involvement of three alleged criminal syndicates led by Lawrence Bishnoi, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, and Ravinder Singh Dhanda, operating across multiple countries and engaging in various criminal activities.
Prosecutors alleged that Bishnoi and Bhagwanpuria managed criminal enterprises from Indian jail cells using illicit communication devices, while their associates carried out operations globally. Moreland stressed the significance of international cooperation in combating sophisticated criminal organizations, emphasizing the necessity of collaborative efforts among agencies to effectively tackle organized crime. She highlighted the borderless nature of organized crime facilitated by technology, underscoring the importance of global cooperation in combating such criminal activities.
The investigation involved the FBI, the RCMP, the Los Angeles Police Department, US Customs and Border Protection, as well as law enforcement agencies in Spain and other countries. The Justice Department mentioned the support received from the FBI’s Legal Attache offices in New Delhi, Ottawa, Madrid, and Mexico City, among others.
