Indian-origin gangster Nitish Kaushal, a prominent figure on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) list, was apprehended near the US-Canada border on July 16. After being arrested, Kaushal produced a fake New Jersey driver's license in someone else's name. However, fingerprint tests and a distinctive lion tattoo revealed his original identity. During questioning, he admitted the license wasn't his. Prosecutors stated in court that he was planning to flee. The Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Organised Crime Group member, allegedly spent multiple days evading federal agents, abandoned a mobile phone being tracked by investigators, and attempted to conceal his identity with a false New Jersey driver's license, as per the newly filed US court documents.
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Involved In Multiple Crimes
The federal prosecutors have now asked a court to keep him behind bars pending trial, arguing that Kaushal poses both a danger to the community and a serious flight risk. The new filings suggest that the circumstances surrounding Kaushal's arrest extend to allegations that he was part of a sprawling transnational organised crime syndicate with roots in Punjab accused of murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, extortion, firearms trafficking, money laundering, and human smuggling.
A Los Angeles grand jury filed a RICO (organized crime conspiracy) charge against Kaushal on June 25. An attempt was made to arrest him on July 7, but he fled.
According to the lawyers, the gang originated in Punjab. Jaggu Bhagwanpuria was initially associated with jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi but later formed his own network. The gang has now spread to the US, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. It has over 1,000 members worldwide, including over 100 in the US alone.
What does the chargesheet say?
The chargesheet states an incident involving Kaushal on July 10, 2024. The gang suspected a man had stolen their drug shipment. An associate lured him to a house in Manteca, California. Kaushal, Amritpal Singh Bal, Harpreet Bal, and Amarbir Singh apprehended the unidentified individual.
It is alleged that Kaushal and Harpreet severely thrashed him. They then took him to a flat in Frestro, held him hostage, and demanded a ransom of $50,000. He was later released on Jaggu's orders. The 440-page chargesheet also mentions that the gang supplied 100 kg or more of cocaine and meth from Southern California to eastern parts of the US and the US-Canada border.
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