Rebuilding empires overseas
Wanted criminals from India have managed to enter the U.S. and Canada under student visas and asylum claims. From calm locales in California and British Columbia, they reconstructed their criminal networks. Only recently have American and Canadian law enforcement started catching up.
In December 2023, an Indian businessman received a video threat from a notorious crime boss. Remarkably, the caller revealed his face, demanding payment or threatening death. This image became part of an FBI-led federal case in Sacramento.
The man was Lawrence Bishnoi, an imprisoned leader, still orchestrating crimes internationally.
His operatives have migrated to the United States, leading to new federal indictments. The threat, firmly rooted here, is expanding.
Illegal immigration misconceptions
Washington often fixates on illegal immigration, yet these men entered through legitimate means. They were fugitives guilty of murder and extortion. Starting out with Indian targets, their crime extended locally, impacting Californian businesses.
They manipulated slow extradition processes, using America and Canada as safe havens.
Global recognition
Authorities from three nations see these groups similarly. They are termed major criminal networks, operating transnationally. These alliances are surprisingly united in this perspective.
Fleeing and operating abroad
A list accessed by Newsweek highlights operatives with pending charges. Everyone listed faces public charges or law enforcement action. Lawrence Bishnoi runs operations via encrypted apps, directing actions from his prison cell.
His brother, Anmol Bishnoi, fled India in 2022 to the U.S. after multiple criminal charges. He was deported in 2025. Goldy Brar, linked to a notorious murder, is another wanted figure, reportedly residing in the U.S.
Many key operatives maintain international connections, committing crimes from afar.
The crime machinery
The mechanics of this operation were outlined by B. Satheesh Balan from Haryana’s task force. He described a scheme involving digital anonymity, local violence, and overseas command, rendered through seven strategic steps. Young recruits, lured by promises, execute the crimes.
Crucially, this recruitment transcends religious or cultural lines, epitomizing exploitative criminal manipulation.
Localized effects
In California, twenty shootings linked to Indian gangs occurred over four years. Small business owners faced extortion demands unable to dismiss easily, suggesting investigative foresight by the gangs. In some cases, disputes culminated in gang-related killings.
The FBI’s Sacramento office has arrested suspects, highlighting the operational reach from India to local U.S. territories without public closure in some cases.
Drug connection
The drug trade introduces a broader concern. A DEA bust codenamed Meltdown halted an illicit network tied to overdose deaths, showcasing growing cooperation between U.S. and Indian authorities on drug issues. Yet, ongoing criminal activities expose gaps.
Canadian responses were more direct. The Bishnoi gang was labeled as a terrorist group by Canada in 2025. This designation directly affects operations and immigration enforcement actions.
International dynamics
India’s diplomatic overtures involve twenty-six pending extradition requests to Canada and twelve fugitives presented to U.S. officials. So far, significant responses have been limited.
A former U.S. Embassy staffer remarked, “The system’s speed lags behind the network’s rapid, digital-driven actions.”
Officials across borders agree on the need for faster responses. Meanwhile, these criminal networks continue to evolve and expand their reach.
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