US Accuses India-Based Gangs of Murder, Extortion Against Diaspora

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles have unsealed three major indictments charging 37 individuals connected to three India-based transnational organized crime groups. The groups are accused of widespread racketeering, extortion, targeted killings, and drug trafficking, with victims primarily in the Indian diaspora.

The indictments allege that the criminal networks operated across multiple states, using threats and violence to extort money from business owners and community members. Prosecutors said the gangs also carried out murders and attempted murders to enforce their demands and eliminate rivals.

Authorities identified the three groups as separate but interconnected organizations based in India, with members and associates in the United States. The charges include conspiracy to commit murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and money laundering.

The cases were investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and local law enforcement agencies. Officials said the indictments represent a significant step in dismantling transnational criminal operations that prey on immigrant communities.

If convicted, the defendants face sentences ranging from decades to life in prison. The Justice Department emphasized its commitment to protecting diaspora communities from organized crime and bringing perpetrators to justice.