According to a criminal affidavit, Singh attempted to cross back into Canada around 6:15 a.m. when his Ontario-plated tractor-trailer was flagged by U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Detroit Contraband Enforcement Team. During the inspection, officers discovered approximately 173 kilograms (or 380 pounds) of suspected cocaine hidden inside eight Home Depot boxes concealed behind rubber mats in a toolbox compartment of the trailer.
Singh initially told authorities he was transporting goods from Wisconsin and had made an overnight stop in Indiana. However, Homeland Security agents allege Singh had been coordinating with an unknown individual through the encrypted messaging app Signal in the days leading up to the bust. Messages reviewed by investigators appear to reference a drug delivery scheduled for Friday, and directions sent to Singh regarding a meetup point at a truck stop in Indiana.
During the arrest, Singh reportedly questioned the officers, asking, “Am I under arrest? Was there something in the Home Depot boxes?” The answer came swiftly, as field tests confirmed the bundles contained cocaine.
Officials believe this seizure is part of a larger smuggling operation, noting that such a high-volume shipment would typically involve trusted members of a trafficking network. Investigators emphasized that the manner and packaging of the drugs pointed to professional drug-running tactics aimed at large-scale distribution within Canada.
The Ambassador Bridge has become a frequent target for such operations, with numerous recent seizures of cocaine, fentanyl, and firearms involving truckers from the Greater Toronto Area. Just last month, 193 pounds of cocaine were found in a trailer headed to Canada, and another case in February involved over 240 pounds discovered in a separate semi-truck.
The investigation remains ongoing, and Singh’s detention hearing was scheduled for the following Monday.
