Indian national sentenced to 17 years for smuggling $8 million of MDMA across US-Canada border

A federal judge has sentenced a 31-year-old man from Punjab, India, to more than 17 years in prison after authorities caught him smuggling nearly $8 million worth of MDMA, commonly known as “Molly,” across the US-Canada border.

On Friday, August 29, 2025, US District Judge Thomas O. Rice handed down the sentence against Jaskaran Singh, who entered the United States after successfully seeking asylum. Singh now faces deportation once his prison term is complete.

A federal jury earlier this year found Singh guilty of possession with intent to distribute MDMA. Evidence at trial revealed that on the night of April 29, 2023, motion-sensor cameras caught three men sneaking across the border near Danville, Washington, a half mile south of the port of entry. They carried backpacks and a suitcase through 300 yards of rugged wilderness before meeting Singh.

Minutes later, Border Patrol agents stopped Singh, driving a rented 2014 Honda Odyssey on a dead-end road near the crossing. In the back of the van, agents discovered the same backpacks and suitcase seen on camera, stuffed with 173.7 pounds of MDMA. The haul carried an estimated street value of $8 million.

Investigators also recovered incriminating messages from Singh’s encrypted Signal account, despite his attempt to delete the app before his arrest. The recovered communications included directions on where Singh should go, what time he should arrive, and instructions to “leave the back hood open” for the drug transfer.

While Singh was arrested, the three couriers escaped back into Canada, evading US authorities. Prosecutors revealed Singh had purchased a plane ticket in California the day before the smuggling run, flown to Seattle, and rented the van used in the pickup.

US Attorney Pete Serrano praised the collaboration that led to Singh’s conviction. “This case is significant in so many respects, from the removal of this significant quantity of drugs from our streets to the seamless cooperation of our federal partners at the northern border,” Serrano said. “I’m proud of our team and am grateful for the outcome of this case.”

David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division, said Singh’s case sends a strong message. “We aggressively investigate traffickers like Mr. Singh who, out of greed, smuggle dangerous drugs into the United States from Canada or anywhere else,” Reames said. “This lengthy sentence holds Mr. Singh accountable and stands as a warning to others that we will not tolerate drug traffickers abusing our free society.”

Border Patrol leadership echoed those sentiments. “US Border Patrol agents work tirelessly every day to protect America and her borders from national security threats, no matter how they present themselves,” said Jason C. Liebe, Chief Patrol Agent for the Spokane Sector. “This joint investigation and successful prosecution demonstrate the power of collaboration among federal agencies.”

The investigation was conducted by the US Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations, and prosecuted by Assistant US Attorneys Alison L. Gregoire and Dan Fruchter.