Indian immigrant driver Deepak Kumar arrested by ICE on charges of ‘theft’
Kumar was later arrested on theft charges and sent to McFarland, California, into ICE custody. It is unclear whether Kumar stole the consignment or if it was delayed due to a communication issue.
WASHINGTON:- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have arrested an Indian immigrant found with stolen powder valued at $3 million. The arrested individual, 31-year-old Deepak Kumar, held a commercial driver’s license issued in California.
According to details regarding Kumar’s arrest, he was found transporting 10 pallets of ‘tungsten oxide’ powder valued at $2,857,500. This powder is used in the manufacture of armor-piercing bullets, ceramics, lasers, optical products, and high-tech windows.
According to news agencies, the cargo belonged to Mitsubishi Materials Corporation and was scheduled for pickup on June 24. The pickup was delayed by a day, and everything appeared to be proceeding smoothly; however, on June 26, the company reported that it was unable to contact the driver.
Subsequently, on June 27, officials located Kumar’s truck using a ‘Flock camera’ (a type of ‘Automated License Plate Reader’ or ALPR device). According to the officials, when the driver was taken into custody, he presented three forms of identification to the investigators: an expired (invalid) work visa, a fake New York State license, and a valid California driver’s license.
Kumar was later arrested on theft charges and sent to McFarland, California, into ICE custody. It is unclear whether Kumar stole the consignment or if it was delayed due to a communication issue.
