Indo-Canadian man pleads guilty in Buffalo to international marijuana conspiracy

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U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York, James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced July 20, 2021, that Ranjodh Singh, 22, of Canada, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.

The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Misha A. Coulson, who is handling the case, said the defendant conspired with others, including Amanpreet Gill, to distribute marijuana, a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

In December 2020, Ranjodh Singh’s co-conspirators purchased and arranged for a shipment of marijuana from Canada to be delivered to Smartway Associates in Somerset, NJ.

Without the knowledge of Ranjodh Singh and his co-conspirators, the shipment was intercepted by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Peace Bridge Cargo Facility on December 1, 2020, and was searched. In the shipment was a large quantity of marijuana packaged in vacuum sealed bags, the press release said.

Subsequently, investigators conducted a controlled delivery operation. A silver vehicle, driven by Ranjodh Singh, was observed following the shipment of marijuana and was observed at the two warehouses where the shipment was temporarily stored. After the shipment of marijuana reached its final destination and law enforcement secured the warehouse, the Ranjodh Singh arrived at the warehouse.

Investigators seized a cell phone from the him which contained videos showing him identifying law enforcement personnel while he was driving around the warehouses.

Charges remain pending against defendant Amanpreet Gill. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Sentencing for Ranjodh Singh will be scheduled at a later date, the U.S. Attorney’s press release said.