Washington: The FBI has placed Indian-origin gangster Satinderjeet Singh, also known as Goldy Brar, on its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and announced a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to his capture.
US authorities allege that Brar is a leader of the Lawrence Bishnoi Organised Crime Group’s operations in North America and has been involved in a range of organised criminal activities in the United States and Canada.
According to the FBI, the group is allegedly linked to political and religious assassinations, shootings, murders, kidnappings and extortion, besides drug and weapons trafficking.
“Satinderjeep Singh, also known as Goldy Brar, is a dangerous individual, and the FBI and our partners have made it our priority to apprehend him, which is why we’re adding him to the FBI’s list of Top Ten fugitives and offering a reward of up to $1 million dollars for his capture,” said FBI Los Angeles Assistant Director in Charge Patrick Grandy.
“The amount of attention this list will bring to his face and description cannot be overstated; his photo will be found on every FBI-affiliated website and social media platform, and will be publicized on every phone around the world until he’s caught,” added Grandy.
The FBI said Brar is believed to be in the United States and warned that he should be considered armed and dangerous, as well as an escape risk. The agency appealed to the public to provide information that could help authorities locate and arrest him.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) also welcomed Brar’s addition to the FBI list. Lisa Moreland, Deputy Commissioner of Federal Policing at the RCMP, alleged that Brar and his network had been linked to murders, shootings, death threats, extortion, arson and drug trafficking.
“His addition to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list speaks to the collective resolve to capture him,” Moreland said, adding that the RCMP would continue working with the FBI.
“If we knew where he was right now, we wouldn’t be here today,” Moreland told reporters at a joint press conference in Los Angeles.
A federal arrest warrant for Singh was issued on July 1 by the US District Court for the Central District of California. He faces charges including conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations (RICO) Act, conspiracy to interfere with and attempted interference with commerce through extortion, and conspiracy to distribute and possess controlled substances with intent to distribute.
Singh was identified as one of the alleged fugitives targeted through Operation Hardball, a long-running US federal investigation into India-based transnational organised crime groups.
In July, US authorities announced charges against 37 defendants allegedly associated with three such criminal organisations. The FBI said one of the indictments focused on the Bishnoi enterprise, with Singh allegedly serving as one of its leaders and helping direct members and associates operating across different countries
