8 Indian Gangsters Arrested In The US; Face Life Imprisonment

In a major crackdown on transnational gang networks, the California police authorities have arrested 8 dreaded Indian gangsters in San Joaquin County in connection with a violent gang operation involving various offenses, including kidnapping, torture, extortion, and illegal firearms. The arrests were made as part of a massive joint operation between the USA and international law enforcement departments.

Notorious gangster Pavittar Singh and his associates were nabbed on July 11, 2025, in a high-profile joint operation involving officers of the California Police Department, immigration, and the FBI. All the accused have been denied bail and face serious offenses, including life imprisonment. Their next court hearing is scheduled for July 24.

Six of the accused – Manpreet Singh Randhawa, Sarabjit Singh, Gurtaj Singh, Amritpal Singh, Pavittar Singh, and Vishal – have been charged with multiple felonies, including kidnapping and torture. The other two criminals, Dilpreet Singh and Arshpreet Singh, face weapons-related charges. During the operation, authorities seized a cache of firearms, including an assault rifle, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and $15,000 in cash.

The operation was carried out after a victim who claimed to have been tortured by the arrested gangsters for information related to the Indian community tipped off the cops with vital information. The man was reportedly assaulted on June 19. Pavittar Manjha Gang (PMG) leader Pavittar Singh has been under the watch of Indian law enforcement officials for his involvement in violent crimes in India.

Urging the Indian community in California to share any information on such violent gangs, San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow warned the crime networks that police will pursue other members of the gang. The arrests were made as part of the FBI’s “Summer Heat” operation, a nationwide crackdown on violent criminals. 

Earlier this year, Happy Passia, an alleged Babbar Khalsa International operative also linked to violence and extortion, was arrested. This high-profile arrest was followed by last year’s arrest of Anmol Bishnoi, brother of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Anmol was reportedly wanted in the Punjabi singer Siddu Moosewala and Baba Siddiqui murder cases.