Indian truck driver Deepak Kumar. (Photo: Greenfield Police Department)
An Indian national is in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after authorities in Pennsylvania accused him of transporting nearly $3 million in stolen tungsten oxide powder, the New York Post reported.The suspect, identified as Deepak Kumar, 31, of Fresno, California, was arrested after investigators tracked down a truck carrying 10 pallets of industrial materials, which authorities said belonged to Mitsubishi Materials.The shipment was scheduled to be received on June 24, but was postponed by one day. Company officials informed the police after they were unable to contact the driver on June 26.
Track the truck using the camera system
According to the New York Post, investigators located the truck the next day with the help of a Fluke camera system.According to court records, Kumar allegedly provided officers with three forms of identification — an invalid work visa, a fake New York State driver’s license, and a valid California driver’s license.He was arrested on robbery charges before being transported to McFarland, California, where he remains in ICE custody.Authorities said the stolen tungsten oxide powder was valued at $2,857,500. The material is used in products including armor-piercing munitions, ceramics, lasers, optical equipment and high-tech window coatings.
California’s licensing policy draws criticism
The arrest has led to renewed scrutiny of California’s policy that allows individuals with federally issued employment authorization documents (EADs) to obtain commercial driver’s licenses.According to the New York Post, critics argue that the policy created a loophole by enabling some undocumented immigrants with temporary federal work authorization to legally obtain commercial driver’s licenses.However, proponents of the policy have emphasized that eligibility is based on a valid federal work permit and not on immigration status alone.
