Washington, July 23: U.S. authorities have arrested an Indian national in connection with an investigation into the alleged theft of industrial-grade tungsten oxide powder valued at approximately US$2.86 million, according to law enforcement reports.
The suspect, identified as Deepak Kumar, 31, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following an investigation that began after a shipment belonging to Mitsubishi Materials Corporation failed to reach its intended destination.
Authorities allege that Kumar was transporting 10 pallets of tungsten oxide powder, a material used in a variety of industrial and defence-related applications, including advanced ceramics, lasers, optical products and armour-piercing ammunition.
According to U.S. media reports, the shipment was scheduled for pickup on June 24 but was delayed by one day. Company officials reportedly became concerned after losing contact with the driver on June 26.
Investigators subsequently used an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system to locate the truck in Pennsylvania on June 27.
Police allege that, during the arrest, Kumar presented three different forms of identification, including an expired work visa, an alleged fraudulent New York State driver’s licence and a valid California commercial driver’s licence.
Following his arrest, Kumar was transferred into ICE custody pending further legal proceedings.
Authorities have charged him with theft.
However, officials have not publicly disclosed whether the shipment was intentionally stolen or whether other circumstances, such as communication or logistical issues, contributed to the incident. The investigation remains ongoing.
The case has also attracted political attention in the United States because Kumar reportedly possessed a California-issued commercial driver’s licence.
Critics of California’s immigration policies have cited the case while questioning the state’s licensing rules for certain non-citizen drivers. Supporters of the state’s policies argue that licensing requirements are governed by applicable state and federal laws and should not be conflated with individual criminal allegations.
No court has yet determined Kumar’s guilt, and the allegations against him remain unproven. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Investigators have not released additional information regarding possible accomplices or whether further charges may be filed as the investigation continues.