Three B.C. Residents Arrested in FBI-Led Cross-Border Narcotics Probe

British Columbia residents detained by Canadian police face possible transfer to American custody over accusations of involvement in an international drug distribution scheme.

Three B.C. Residents Arrested in FBI-Led Cross-Border Narcotics Probe

Police in British Columbia detained three local men this week at the request of American investigators probing a suspected transnational narcotics ring with ties to criminal organizations based in India.

The individuals taken into custody are Jaskarn Baghri from Surrey, Ravinder Dhanda from White Rock, and Gurtej Singh Smagh from Creston. Officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police carried out the apprehensions in coordination with their counterparts south of the border.

Federal Bureau of Investigation officials contend the accused played roles in a scheme that regularly shipped sizeable loads of cocaine and crystal meth across the international frontier separating Canada and the United States. The suspects briefly appeared before a judge on Tuesday, though most specifics remain sealed from public view due to a court order limiting disclosure about the surrender proceedings.

Two of those arrested have already lined up legal advocates. Dhanda has hired well-known defence attorney Ian Donaldson, while Smagh has engaged Rishi Gill. Baghri had not yet found representation when reports emerged.

The case forms part of a broader enforcement effort dubbed Operation Hard Ball, which has produced indictments against three dozen people spread across multiple continents. Roughly two dozen of those charged are already in detention.

Source: Global News

Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)