WASHINGTON, Sep 29: The Federal Bureau of Investigation has placed gangster Satinderjeet Singh, also known as Goldy Brar, on its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and announced a reward of up to USD 1 million for information that leads to his arrest.
The FBI said Brar is allegedly associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi Organised Crime Group, which authorities accuse of carrying out violent activities in Southern California as well as other parts of the United States and Canada.
The agency described Brar as armed, dangerous and a potential escape risk. According to investigators, he is allegedly involved in a range of serious crimes, including the killings of political and religious figures, shootings, murders, kidnappings, extortion, assaults and the trafficking of drugs and weapons.
US authorities allege that Brar operates from the United States and serves as the North American leader of the organised crime group.
First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said Brar’s placement on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list reflects the administration’s efforts to target transnational criminal organisations.
Essayli said US authorities would continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies in Canada, Europe and Asia to locate Brar and other members of international criminal networks.
Lisa Moreland, deputy commissioner of federal policing with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, said Brar and his associates had been linked by authorities to murders, shootings, threats, extortion, arson and narcotics trafficking.
Moreland said his addition to the FBI’s wanted list demonstrated cooperation among international law enforcement agencies seeking his capture. She added that the RCMP would continue working with the FBI in the investigation.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Los Angeles, Moreland said authorities did not currently know Brar’s whereabouts. She also cautioned against any perceived allegiance to the fugitive, saying he had no loyalty to those around him.
A federal arrest warrant for Brar was issued on July 1 by the US District Court for the Central District of California. The charges include conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act, conspiracy to interfere with and attempted interference with commerce through extortion, and conspiracy to distribute and possess controlled substances with the intent to distribute them.
Brar was identified as one of the fugitives sought through Operation Hardball, a long-running US federal investigation into transnational organised crime groups operating from India.
US authorities announced charges against 37 defendants in July in connection with three such organisations.
The FBI said one of the indictments targeted the Bishnoi enterprise, with Brar allegedly identified as one of its leaders. Investigators allege that he helped coordinate and direct members and associates of the organisation operating in different countries.