Washington:In a major crackdown on transnational organised crime, a US grand jury has filed an indictment against jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and members of his gang, accusing them of operating a sprawling international criminal network involved in murder, extortion, shootings, drug trafficking, kidnapping and human trafficking.
According to the chargesheet, continued to run the gang from inside jail, coordinating operations via mobile phones and internet-based calling services. US authorities have said that his network has grown to several countries and been operating across the US, Canada, UK, Europe and Australia.
Spread fear among publicThe indictment said the gang created “an atmosphere of fear” by claiming on social media responsibility for violent acts while at the same time extorting money from wealthy businessmen and celebrities by threats and intimidation.According to the investigators, the gang allegedly threatened to kill the victims through WhatsApp messages and voice notes and demanded extortion money in crores of rupees.
The group also created a cross-border narcotics network for smuggling cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine into the United States and Canada. The chargesheet also alleged that the gang was not only trafficking in drugs directly, but also extorted narcotics from rival trafficking groups and sold these onward for profit.
Punjab youths lured into gangThe gang allegedly lured poor and underage boys from Punjab to join them, promising them money and fame. Some of the most loyal recruits were subsequently sent to the United States and Canada, the probe found.
Goldy Brar, Rohit Godara and other accused associates were also named key persons who allegedly masterminded the gang’s activities from abroad, the indictment said.
US agencies said they uncovered the alleged extortion and drug network with the help of confidential informants and undercover operations.
The chargesheet also mentions that the gang extorted millions of dollars from businessmen in the US, Canada and the UK, indicating that its criminal enterprise had graduated into a big-time global racket.
As part of its case against Bishnoi and his associates, the US government said it wanted the court to seize the alleged criminal assets of the gang, including money, weapons and other property associated with the organisation.
It is pertinent to mention here that the US agency FBI had earlier conducted ‘Operation Hard Ball’ against the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. On July 7, the FBI and its partners arrested 20 individuals in California and elsewhere as part of the operations. They also confiscated illegal goods, weapons and drugs. They also took action against gangster Goldy Brar and announced a reward of up to USD 50,000 (around Rs 4.3 million) for his arrest.
Also Read:Also Read: