Daijiworld Media Network – California

California, Sep 5: An Indian national has been charged in the United States with allegedly distributing large quantities of methamphetamine from a pizza restaurant in California while possessing illegal firearms, the US Department of Justice said.

Kawal Preet Singh, 50, an unlawful resident of the US, allegedly sold wholesale quantities of methamphetamine from a Round Table Pizza outlet he operated in Dinuba, according to court documents.

Federal agents searched Singh’s residence and business on August 18 and seized more than 40 pounds of methamphetamine, three firearms and over USD 10,000 in cash, the Department of Justice said in a statement.

If convicted of drug trafficking, Singh faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, along with a fine of up to USD 10 million.

He also faces a mandatory minimum five-year sentence, to be served consecutively to any other sentence, for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The maximum sentence for the firearms charge is life imprisonment.

The final sentence, if Singh is convicted, will be determined by the court after considering applicable laws and federal sentencing guidelines.

The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

The case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, a government-wide effort targeting criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organisations and human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in the US and abroad.

The charges against Singh are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.