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B.C. man indicted in U.S. fought off deportation in 2008, despite drug conviction
Authorities say the case involves hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine each week and a border-insider tip on inspections.
- On Tuesday, U.S. authorities indicted B.C. residents Gurtej Singh Smagh, Ravinder Singh Dhanda, and Jaskarn Baghri, accusing them of smuggling large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine across the border into Canada.
- Smagh previously fought deportation in 2008 following a nine-month U.S. jail sentence for marijuana distribution, but Immigration and Refugee Board adjudicator Erwin Nest granted a stay citing potential rehabilitation and "community support."
- Facing extradition, the three men appeared in B.C. Supreme Court Tuesday under a publication ban, while Smagh faced foreclosure proceedings in 2024 over a mortgage exceeding $4 million.
- These charges are part of a U.S. Justice Department operation targeting 24 suspects worldwide, including investigations linked to the 2023 assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C.
- Surrey Police Service spokesman Lindsey Houghton welcomed the charges, stating they provide "peace of mind" to residents and business owners currently grappling with extortion threats and violence.
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BC man indicted in US fought off deportation in 2008, despite his drug conviction
Court and immigration board records show that a British Columbia suspect indicted by US authorities over alleged international organized crime was previously convicted of cross-border drug smuggling in the United States, but was allowed to stay in Canada after his release.
·Canada
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The Toronto Star+26 Reposted by 26 other sources
B.C. man indicted in U.S. fought off deportation in 2008, despite drug conviction
VANCOUVER - Court and immigration board records show that a British Columbia suspect indicted by U.S. authorities over alleged international organized crime was previously convicted of cross-border drug smuggling in
·Toronto, Canada
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Total News Sources29
Leaning Left19Leaning Right0Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution66% Left
Bias Distribution
- 66% of the sources lean Left
66% Left
L 66%
C 34%
Factuality
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