A California pizza shop allegedly operated far beyond serving food, with a man accused of using the establishment to distribute significant amounts of methamphetamine. The individual in question is Kawal Preet Singh, a 50-year-old Indian national living illegally in the United States, who was indicted on Thursday for federal drug and firearm charges. Authorities claimed to have uncovered over 40 pounds of methamphetamine, three firearms, and more than $10,000 in cash.
Federal prosecutors asserted that Singh managed the Round Table Pizza in Dinuba, a city in Tulare County approximately 30 miles southeast of Fresno, using the business as a front to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine.
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The Round Table Pizza reportedly received 71 price complaints per 1,000 reviews according to findings shared with Fox News Digital. Singh pleaded not guilty during his arraignment and is currently not in custody, based on reports by The Fresno Bee. The Dinuba restaurant is marked as permanently closed on Google.
“The employee involved in the reported incident had worked at this location for approximately one and a half months,” the company informed GV Wire.
Erin Mandzik, the senior director of corporate communications for FAT Brands, which is Round Table Pizza’s parent company, stated to The Fresno Bee that the restaurant was independently owned and operated. Mandzik noted that the local owners were oblivious to the alleged illegal activities before they came to light and are fully cooperating with authorities, based on the newspaper’s report.
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Federal agents reportedly seized more than 40 pounds of methamphetamine during searches conducted at Singh’s home, vehicle, and business premises. On August 18, federal agents searched Singh’s home and the restaurant in connection with an investigation into Indian organized crime in California’s Central Valley, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.
Investigators allegedly discovered approximately 13.8 kilograms, or over 30 pounds, of suspected methamphetamine at Singh’s residence, as reported by The Fresno Bee. Another roughly 4.9 kilograms, or close to 11 pounds, were allegedly packed into five clear plastic bags within Singh’s Hyundai Sonata at the restaurant.
Agents also confiscated a semiautomatic handgun and $11,800 in cash, the outlet revealed. Photographs published by the Justice Department showcased two handguns allegedly seized during the investigation, including one with a teal frame. Another image portrayed clear plastic bags containing a crystalline substance identified as methamphetamine.
A federal grand jury charged Singh with distributing methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
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The investigation reportedly originated from a tip received in May regarding a suspected narcotics trafficker operating in Fresno and distributing controlled substances. Investigators were later informed of a trafficker, identified as “Camy,” described as a Sikh Indian man involved in long-haul trucking, according to court documents cited by The Fresno Bee.
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The FBI affidavit reportedly identified the narcotics trafficker as ‘Camy,’ detailing him as a Sikh Indian male involved in long-haul trucking. The suspect allegedly collaborated with a network of other Sikh Indian truck drivers to transport narcotics. Investigators developed evidence pointing to a network of truck drivers transporting hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Mexico into the United States for an undisclosed Mexican cartel, The Fresno Bee reported. Singh has yet to face charges linked to cocaine-related activities.
The Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force later identified Singh as a subject of the investigation, according to federal prosecutors.
Search warrants signed on August 13 covered Singh, his residence, and the Dinuba restaurant, based on The Fresno Bee’s report. Five days later, agents reportedly observed Singh departing the restaurant and driving to his residence before executing searches on both properties. Singh allegedly informed investigators he hadn’t sold methamphetamine for approximately two months, claiming he was storing the drugs for a friend.
Singh faces at least 10 years in federal prison if convicted of the drug charges. The firearm count could add a minimum of five more years to his sentence. Prosecutors stressed that the charges stand as allegations and Singh is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Singh’s forthcoming federal court hearing is scheduled for November 4.