Vermont residents will see the outcome of federal border-security work after U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in the Swanton Sector arrested a man wanted on a federal warrant tied to an alleged transnational criminal network.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 26-year-old Nitish “Lala” Kaushal was taken into custody in Vermont early Thursday after agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Swanton Sector, located and arrested him. A federal arrest warrant was issued last month in the Central District of California.
Allegations tied to an organized crime group
The U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI say Kaushal is linked to the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Organized Crime Group, often abbreviated as the Bhagwanpuria OCG. Authorities allege the group has been involved in drug and firearms trafficking in Southern California and in violent acts, including kidnappings and assaults.
Federal officials say the Bhagwanpuria OCG has a global footprint, with alleged members in India, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. The FBI’s Los Angeles office has been coordinating work related to the group and the warrant for Kaushal.
"Thanks to the outstanding work our [Swanton Sector Border Patrol] partners are doing to ensure the safety and security of our Northern Border, this dangerous fugitive…. was captured early this morning in Vermont," the FBI's Albany office wrote on social media Thursday.
What this means locally
There are no public indications from the FBI or Border Patrol that the arrest represents an ongoing threat to the Vermont public. Federal agencies often work with local law enforcement and immigration or border-security units when apprehending suspects wanted in other jurisdictions.
- Arresting agency: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Swanton Sector
- Warrant issued by: U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- Alleged group: Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Organized Crime Group (Bhagwanpuria OCG)
Authorities have linked the Bhagwanpuria OCG to a range of alleged crimes, including murders, kidnappings, trafficking and false accusations of murder in India earlier this year; Kaushal is specifically accused of carrying out kidnappings and assaults on behalf of the organization, according to court-related material referenced by federal agencies.
Next steps
Because the arrest stems from a federal warrant out of California, Kaushal is expected to face processing by federal authorities and possible transfer to the Central District of California for further proceedings. The FBI’s Albany office acknowledged the assistance of Border Patrol in the capture.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 26 |
| Arresting agency | U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Swanton Sector |
| Charged/Alleged with | Kidnappings, assaults; ties to trafficking (per DOJ/FBI) |
News Block will monitor federal court filings and statements from the FBI, Department of Justice and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for further details on charges, custody status and any scheduled court appearances.
