In order to stop mobster Lawrence Bishnoi from operating a worldwide criminal network while incarcerated, the United States intends to request his extradition from India to face extensive federal racketeering charges.
The announcement followed the release of an indictment by US authorities accusing Bishnoi and purported lieutenant Satinderjeet Singh, also known as Goldy Brar, of leading a transnational criminal organization that was involved in kidnappings, murder, extortion, and extensive drug trafficking throughout North America and abroad.
RCMP Deputy Commissioner Lisa Moreland stated that US officials plan to seek Bishnoi’s extradition from India following the announcement of the indictments. Moreland told CBC News, “I believe that the charges that were brought forward today, obviously under the RICO laws in the United States, bring through that, as stated today, they will bring forward for extradition, to get him moved forward and to face charges in the United States.”
The remarks were made in response to inquiries on claims that, despite being imprisoned in India, Bishnoi has continued to oversee illegal activities.
The US indictment claims that Bishnoi directed political assassinations, murders, extortion, kidnappings, drug trafficking, and human smuggling carried out by members of the Lawrence Bishnoi Organized Crime Group in multiple countries using illegal cell phones and voice-over-internet communication devices smuggled into jail.
When asked if relocating Bishnoi to a US prison would seriously undermine the group, Moreland replied that it would be a huge setback to remove the gang’s leadership. “When you look at this in its entirety, I think it’s important to be able to remove the leadership, not just the top person but also the next layer down, in order to disrupt how they operate,” she stated.
Removing Bishnoi and his senior leadership would have “a direct impact on public safety here in Canada and abroad,” she continued.
First Assistant US Attorney Bilal A. Essayli expressed optimism that another imprisoned gang boss will soon face American justice during the Los Angeles press conference launching Operation Hard Ball.
Additionally, Moreland affirmed that Indian officials collaborated with investigators throughout the international investigation. “What I can tell you is that the Indian government was assisting with this probe, as you said from our US counterparts. To counter this, we collaborate closely with the FBI and other authorities,” she stated. “This investigation would demonstrate that’s what we’re aiming for.”
Targeting organized crime gangs, US investigators have filed three different charges against 37 people. While numerous individuals are still at large, 24 people have been apprehended in the US, Canada, and Europe. The organizations are accused in the indictments of operating across many countries and committing murders, kidnappings, extortion, drug trafficking, and weapons offenses.
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