Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
National

Indo-Canadian charged for trying to transport cocaine worth $4.86 mn

Darpan News Desk IANS, 11 Jan, 2024 11:17 AM
  • Indo-Canadian charged for trying to transport cocaine worth $4.86 mn

Toronto, Jan 11 (IANS) A 35-year-old Indian-origin commercial truck driver has been charged after he was caught by the authorities while trying to transport cocaine worth approximately C$6.5 million ($4.86 million) into Canada.

Sukhwinder Dhanju was arrested by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) on September 26 last year after he arrived at the primary inspection booth at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge port of entry in Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario province.

The driver was referred for secondary examination of his truck and trailer, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a release issued on Wednesday.

An inspection of the cargo led to the discovery of 202 brick-shaped objects which tested positive for cocaine, and had a total weight of 233 kg.

Dhanju was then arrested by the CBSA, and transferred to the custody of the RCMP Border Integrity Unit, along with the suspected drugs.

Following a "thorough investigation", the RCMP, on December 19 last year, charged Brampton resident Dhanju, with importation of cocaine and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

"The RCMP and the CBSA once again, through a joint effort, demonstrated continued commitment in working together to effectively disrupt the drug trade," sais Superintendent Rae Bolsterli, Officer in Charge, RCMP Border Integrity Program.

According to the release, Dhanju has been released with strict conditions, and his next court date is scheduled for February 2 at St Catharines in Ontario.

Last month, another Indian-origin commercial truck driver was charged after authorities seized more than 100 pounds of suspected cocaine in Ontario.

Manpreet Singh (27) was taken into custody by officers of the RCMP and formally charged with importation of cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Both Dhanju and Singh are residents of Brampton city.

In December 2023, a Canada-wide arrest warrant was issued against an elderly Sikh truck driver who fled to India after he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking.

Raj Kumar Mehmi from Surrey was sentenced in November last year for smuggling 80 kg of cocaine into British Columbia, through the Canada-US Pacific Highway border crossing.

From January to October 31, 2023, the CBSA in the Southern Ontario region reportedly seized more than 1,300 kg of narcotics.

MORE National ARTICLES

1 year pilot project to provide free menstrual supplies in 15 facilities across Delta

1 year pilot project to provide free menstrual supplies in 15 facilities across Delta
The City of Delta has launched a one-year pilot project to provide free menstrual supplies in 15 facilities across the city. Pads and tampons are now available at washrooms of the city’s public facilities and they will be replenished in the same way toilet paper and paper towel are in washrooms. 

1 year pilot project to provide free menstrual supplies in 15 facilities across Delta

Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action won't be done until 2081: report

Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action won't be done until 2081: report
A new report from the Yellowhead Institute says Canada won't complete all 94 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action until 2081. The institute found that no calls to action were completed over the course of 2023. 

Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action won't be done until 2081: report

Pharmacare not a priority for most and East Coast outages persist

Pharmacare not a priority for most and East Coast outages persist
As Liberals and New Democrats negotiate what a future national drug plan should look like, a new survey suggests pharmacare is not at the top of the priority list for most Canadians. The survey shows that when asked to name their top two health-care priorities, only 18 per cent of those surveyed said the government should prioritize creating a new, universal, single-payer drug plan.

Pharmacare not a priority for most and East Coast outages persist

CRA has fired 185 employees for 'inappropriately' claiming COVID-19 CERB benefits

CRA has fired 185 employees for 'inappropriately' claiming COVID-19 CERB benefits
The Canada Revenue Agency says 185 employees have been fired to date for claiming a federal COVID-19 benefit when they were not eligible for it. That's an increase of 65 since the CRA last updated the public on its review in September. 

CRA has fired 185 employees for 'inappropriately' claiming COVID-19 CERB benefits

BC company forfeits 10M to Province

BC company forfeits 10M to Province
A B-C company has forfeited 10 million dollars to the province over allegations it provided payment services for people around the world who ran scams aimed at elderly seniors.  Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says a settlement agreement with PacNet Services is the largest such confiscation in the history of its civil forfeiture program.   

BC company forfeits 10M to Province

Ban on single-use-plastic bags, straws or utensils in stores & restaurants starting tomorrow

Ban on single-use-plastic bags, straws or utensils in stores & restaurants starting tomorrow
Shoppers should expect to see no single-use-plastic bags, straws or utensils in stores and restaurants starting tomorrow, as new federal single-use plastics rules take effect.  Cities like Vancouver and Victoria have already have their own rules in place.

Ban on single-use-plastic bags, straws or utensils in stores & restaurants starting tomorrow