The FBI and law enforcement agencies in the United States, Canada, and Europe arrested 24 defendants, including 11 people in California, as part of a federal investigation, the FBI announced Tuesday.

They investigated three India-based transnational organized crime groups accused of carrying out crimes including racketeering, targeted killings, shootings, extortion and international drug trafficking.

The operation, dubbed “Operation Hard Ball,” resulted from a yearslong investigation into criminal networks that authorities said have affected communities within the Indian diaspora around the world.

In total, 37 defendants are charged in three indictments unsealed Tuesday. Two of the defendants are accused of operating global criminal syndicates while imprisoned in India.

The 11 California defendants, along with suspects arrested in Indiana and Georgia, are expected to make initial appearances in federal court Tuesday. Three defendants were arrested in Canada, one in Spain, and seven others were already in custody before the operation.

Authorities said the investigation included the 2023 assassination in Canada of a prominent Indian political and religious figure, along with allegations involving violent crimes and drug trafficking.

During the investigation, law enforcement seized about 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of heroin, $40,000 in cash and 12 firearms. Investigators also executed 23 search warrants in the Sacramento area and 11 in the Los Angeles area.

Authorities said they are still searching for 10 fugitives, including seven in the United States, two in India and one in Europe.

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