In recent years, crime bosses from India have leveraged student visas and asylum claims to establish operations in North America. Residing in locations such as California and British Columbia, they rebuilt the criminal enterprises they left behind. This activity only recently garnered attention from American and Canadian law enforcement.
The Infamous Lawrence Bishnoi
In December 2023, Lawrence Bishnoi, a well-known crime boss in India, made a video call, openly showing his face and issuing a direct threat. The businessman on the receiving end captured a screenshot, providing crucial evidence now central to a federal case in Sacramento. Despite being imprisoned in India for the last decade, Bishnoi continues to orchestrate crimes from afar by using encrypted communication tools.
His syndicate’s reach is significant, with operatives in the United States, some of whom were specified in a federal indictment unsealed in California in November 2025. This criminal network has operated undetected for years, growing in influence and reach.
Fugitives in a New Landscape
The individuals leading these networks are not typical immigrants. They are fugitives guilty of murder, extortion, and drug trafficking. Many entered North America through legal means like student visas and asylum requests, evading detection as they resumed their illegal activities.
A former DHS officer highlighted that these individuals initially didn’t target Americans, but rather used North America as a base to commit crimes in India, knowing extradition would be slow. Over time, their operations expanded, affecting local communities.
Detailed Profiles of Crime Figures
Anmol Bishnoi, Lawrence’s younger brother, managed the network’s activities in the United States, overseeing extortion and harboring criminals. After fleeing India via forged documents, he settled in California; however, his asylum claim was denied, and he was deported back to India in 2025, where he faces numerous charges.
Other key figures like Goldy Brar, Arshdeep Singh Gill, and Bhanu Pratap Singh have continued their operations from North America. They are involved in serious crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, and extortion, maintaining ties to India’s criminal underworld.
Operations and Policing Challenges
Law enforcement agencies across India, the United States, and Canada describe these networks similarly, underscoring their transnational criminal nature. They operate through a complex chain involving local contacts, encrypted communications, and physical distance from criminal activities.
“A gangster no longer needs to be present in Haryana to order an extortion or shooting,” stated B. Satheesh Balan, Inspector General of Haryana’s Special Task Force.
The operations rely on young, often vulnerable recruits drawn in through social media, with promises of financial rewards, weapons, and relocation assistance abroad.
Transnational Crime Network Reach
In the United States, particularly in California’s Central Valley, these networks have been linked to about 20 shootings. Local law enforcement receives extortion cases frequently, with demands often just low enough to dissuade victims from involving the police.
The transnational operations extend further, with involvement in drug trafficking, adding a public health dimension to the crime problem. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and FBI have noted overlaps with illegal drug supply chains affecting both the United States and Canada.
International Efforts and Cooperation
Canada has been proactive, listing the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity, a move that affects immigration policy and law enforcement responses. Canadian authorities have been working closely with allies, including India and the United States, to manage this transnational threat.
“The Bishnoi Gang is a transnational criminal organization,” said Tim Warmington, spokesperson for Public Safety Canada.
However, despite these efforts, many legal and procedural hurdles remain, slowing down extradition and prosecutions. The Interpol notice system, a critical tool, is often exhaustive and cumbersome, adding delays to addressing the transnational crime issue.
Conclusion
Efforts to dismantle these crime networks emphasize the need for speed and cooperation among global law enforcement agencies. The rapid pace of modern organized crime, bolstered by technology and cryptocurrencies, outstrips traditional policing methods. While some progress has been made, the challenge requires continuous adaptation and innovation in strategy.