Tag: Drugs

7.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine seized at the Pacific Highway Commercial port of entry

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is announcing the seizure of 107.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine at the Pacific Highway Commercial port of entry.

On October 21, 2016, a commercial driver travelling from the United States was seeking entry to Canada at the Pacific Highway Commercial port of entry (POE). During the commercial vehicle examination, border services officers (BSOs) discovered numerous bricks of a white powdered substance among a shipment of rice. After performing a field test, the suspected cocaine was seized.

The man and the drugs were turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The investigation is ongoing.

“Border services officers at the Pacific Highway Commercial POE are dedicated to strengthening the integrity of our borders and keeping Canadians safe. This significant seizure also highlights the important partnership between the CBSA and the RCMP in keeping Canadians safe by preventing illegal narcotics and prohibited goods from entering our communities,”  said Dan Bubas, Chief, Pacific Highway port of entry, CBSA.

Last year, BSOs at the Pacific Highway Commercial POE processed over 438,255 travellers and 407,207 commercial vehicles.

From 2011 to 2015, there were over 89 narcotic seizures at the Pacific Highway Commercial POE.

Anyone with information about suspicious cross-border activity is encouraged to call the CBSA Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060.

200 kg of cocaine was seized, Gurpreet Singh Cheema, Gurpreet Singh, Tejinderpal Singh Sandhu, Jasmail Singh Sander and Parmjeet Singh Sandhu charged

The Canada Border Services Agency, along with RCMP, show cocaine seized during a drug importation investigation at the Coutts border crossing that focused on commercial vehicles.

 

The Canada Border Services Agency, along with RCMP, show cocaine seized during a drug importation investigation at the Coutts border crossing that focused on commercial vehicles.

Global News / Braden Latam

 

RCMP say just over 200 kg of cocaine was seized in a drug importation investigation in southern Alberta that focused on commercial vehicles.

The drugs were seized at the Coutts border crossing on three separate dates.

During the first seizure on Sept. 2, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers searched a commercial truck entering Canada with a load of televisions.

According to the RCMP, officers discovered 60 packages of cocaine weighing 69 kg stashed in the vehicle.

The second seizure was two days later, on Sept. 4. CBSA officers searched a truck containing a shipment of novelty items.

According to RCMP, concealed within the load were 34 packages of cocaine.

Tejinderpal Singh Sandhu, 34, is charged with importing a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

The third seizure took place on Oct. 10. According to the RCMP, CBSA officers found 83 bricks of cocaine hidden throughout the cab of a commercial vehicle carrying produce.

Jasmail Singh Sander, 53, of British Columbia, and Parmjeet Singh Sandhu, 31, of Ontario, are charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and importing a controlled substance.

In all three instances, the commercial trucks were operating for commercial trucking companies based in British Columbia.

The Canada Border Services Agency, along with RCMP, show cocaine seized during a drug importation investigation at the Coutts border crossing that focused on commercial vehicles.

The Canada Border Services Agency, along with RCMP, show cocaine seized during a drug importation investigation at the Coutts border crossing that focused on commercial vehicles.

Global News / Braden Latam

Surrey RCMP arrest six males allegedly linked to gun violence

Metro Vancouver — It was with “a joyful heart” that Surrey’s mayor joined the officer in charge of the Surrey RCMP on Monday to announce that police had made more headway in the fight against street-level gun violence in the city.

“Today is a day to say we’ve made another round of significant progress with these most recent arrests,” Linda Hepner told reporters.

On Friday, investigators arrested six males linked to a conflict over drug turf involving low-level members of two groups of dial-a-dopers.

Police released the names and photos of four men who have been arrested and charged. Baltej Singh Gill, 18, of Surrey, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit the indictable offence of recklessly discharging a firearm. Gill was previously arrested in connection with an unrelated incident and charged with four firearms offences. Himmat Singh Virk, 18, of Surrey, is charged with two counts of conspiracy. Randeep Singh Johal, 18, of Surrey, is charged with one count of conspiracy. Manpreet Michael Johal, 24, of Delta, is charged with two counts of conspiracy.

Also charged is a 16-year-old young offender, who cannot be named because he was under the age of 18 at the time of the alleged offences. The Surrey youth is charged with four firearms-related offences. A sixth man — a 24-year-old from Surrey — has been arrested but has not yet been charged. His name was not released.

Assistant Commissioner Bill Fordy, who is also the acting officer in charge of Surrey RCMP, said the men were arrested after they were “strategically targeted” by police.

Investigators received information that individuals had plans to commit a drive-by shooting. Surrey RCMP teamed up with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and Lower Mainland emergency response team to investigate and conduct the arrests.

“These arrests and charges stem from an ongoing investigation — a series of ongoing investigations that flow directly from shots fired complaints and incidents that have played out on our streets over the past five months,” Fordy said.

Fordy told reporters that he’s confident that there will be more announcements about arrests related to the conflict the coming months.

Public safety is a priority, Fordy said, and he believes these arrests have prevented further violence from playing out on Surrey streets, where there have been a total of 51 shootings — both related and unrelated to the conflict — since the beginning of 2016.

He said that since March, there have been 30 arrests related to the conflict. Fifteen firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition have been seized. He could not say how many charges have been laid against those individuals. Their cases are currently before the courts.

Hepner said the next step is for the courts to deal appropriately with those who are convicted of gun-related crimes in Surrey. She said she has spoken to federal and provincial politicians on the subject.

“I think that what is happening now on our streets is so unacceptable that when these folks get before the courts I hope the courts recognize the severity of a crime utilizing a gun on city streets and come down with a full — with some very significant acknowledgment in the punishment phase of this should all of those who are currently before the courts be found guilty,” she said.

Surrey-Tynehead MLA Amrik Virk, who is also a former police officer, said he thinks all people in society generally want to see the toughest possible sentence imposed.

“I expect the full weight of the law to come down upon these individuals,” he said.

Multiple arrests following ongoing drug trafficking investigation

Wanted by Police: Ravinder Samra of Surrey,  Hazim Hazim of Surrey, Priya Sandhu of Richmond, Abdulhamid Sultan of Surrey and four others 

Surrey RCMP advises that a number of arrests have been made of individuals alleged to be involved in ongoing drug trafficking operations in Surrey and Richmond .
On May 25th Surrey RCMP’s Drug Unit arrested eight individuals simultaneously at multiple locations throughout Surrey. The arrests were in relation to an ongoing investigation that began last year into a dial-a-dope drug trafficking operation in Surrey and Richmond. Evidence consistent with street level drug trafficking including cash, phones, and varying amounts of controlled substances were located during the course of this initial investigation. Four of the individuals arrested were wanted on outstanding warrants for drug trafficking, while the remaining four individuals will be facing a number of drug related charges.
As a result of this investigation, the following wanted persons and are now in police custody:
Ravinder SAMRA, (29 year old male, from Surrey) –  Trafficking X 1
Hazim HAZIM (20 year old male, from Surrey) – Trafficking X 2
Tony TRAN (30 year old male, from Surrey) – Trafficking X 2
Peter BUTCHER (52 year old male, from Surrey) – Trafficking X 3

These arrests are part of the Surrey RCMP’s proactive enforcement strategy aimed at targeting individuals involved in the drug trade and the threat it brings to public safety. Following a spate of violence last spring tied to the low-level drug trade, the Surrey RCMP launched a concentrated effort to arrest those involved in drug trafficking in Surrey.

“Today’s arrests are part of a larger strategy to decrease the violence in our city caused by the dangerous activities of drug traffickers plying their illegal trade on our streets,” says Surrey RCMP Proactive Enforcement Officer, Inspector Shawna Baher. “The Surrey RCMP continues to advance investigations on a number of individuals that pose the most significant risk to public safety. We are also involved in a number of prevention efforts to address the root causes of the violence seen in Surrey.”

Further arrests are anticipated as the investigation continues, however, the Surrey RCMP is seeking additional information on the following individuals wanted on drug trafficking charges:

Priya SANDHU (23 year old female, from Richmond) – Trafficking X 2
Abdulhamid SULTAN (20 year old male, from Surrey) – Trafficking X 1
James GRIFFITHS (43 year old male, from Surrey) – Trafficking X 11
Layla LOW (22 year old female, from Surrey) – Trafficking X 5

Anyone with further information on the activities of these individuals is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-TIPS or go to www.solvecrime.ca.

CBSA officers find suspected opium in shipment from India at the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today the seizure of 15 kg of suspected opium at the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.

On April 15, 2016, CBSA officers were conducting routine examinations at a courier facility on the airport grounds. A shipment originating from India and described as “toiletries” was selected for further inspection. An X-ray of one of the bottles inside the shipment showed anomalies and once opened, officers discovered that it was filled with a brown tar-like substance with an earthy odour. Subsequent drug testing proved positive for suspected opium. In total, 15 bottles were found to contain suspected opium.

“Smugglers will go to any extent to conceal contraband but our officers used their training and experience to deter the shipment from making it to its intended destination.” says  Mark Leonard, CBSA Director, Outports and Postal Operations District, Greater Toronto Area Region.

The suspected opium was turned over to York Regional Police.

Surrey shootings: Mayor Linda Hepner ‘angry’ about recent violence

RCMP investigating 3 shootings in past 3 days linked to what police call a new drug conflict in the city

 

CBC News

Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner expressed her frustration about gun violence that has seen 31 shootings in her city this year, with three in the past three days.

“I am so angry this that this is happening again in my city,” she told media on Tuesday. “To be dealing with this again is unacceptable.”

Surrey RCMP is investigating three shootings over the past three days — the latest in a residential area in the middle of the afternoon.

Police say they believe the violence is linked to a new drug conflict.

Young ‘punks’

“I want to call them punks,” said Hepner about some young, aggressive people she feels are holding her city hostage.

She said the vast majority of both the perpetrators and targets of the shootings have been young males of South Asian descent.

Hepner said that fact — along with the relatively young overall population of the city — makes Surrey especially vulnerable to gun violence, but that her city is not alone.

She defended her administration’s efforts to crack down on the violence after a similar spree hit Surrey last year. Hepner said there have been hundreds of arrests and charges brought forward since, breaking the back of the problem.

But “through the success of last year we have created a vacuum,” Hepner said.

Despite repeated questioning, the mayor was unable to offer assurance to residents that another cycle of violence won’t start up once the problem currently facing the city is brought under control.

Surrey RCMP Community Services Supt. Shawn Gill said a “strategic long term approach” to the violence is needed, one that involves multiple agencies, ranging from different police services to health agencies.

Gill said the spike in violence is recent and related to the drug trade.

But he also asked for the community’s patience with the RCMP. He said the force had been instrumental in bringing forward charges in other cases which resulted in widespread fear: the murder of Maple Batalia and the beating death of Julie Paskall.

In both those cases, Gill said police were ultimately able to get results.

Hepner said the city has put nearly 100 additional police officers on the street, and stepped up enforcement.

But she said she has also been speaking with the province’s Public Safety Minister with a view to toughening up enforcement.

She said there needs to be stiffer penalties for gunplay in city streets.

CTV news

April 5, 2016

Mounties are investigating after someone opened fire on the Surrey detachment.

The RCMP said city workers noticed a hole in an exterior window at the detachment building at 104 Avenue and 148 Street Tuesday morning.

It was initially believed to have been caused by a rock, possibly one that had been tossed from a lawn mower, but officers eventually discovered a bullet lodged in the drywall behind the window.

Mounties are still working to determine when the shooting happened

Surrey is up to 30 shootings in 2016 after two this weekend

By Kim Bolan

April 3, 2016

Surrey RCMP is confirming two more shootings this weekend, one leaving a man with serious injuries.

That makes 30 shootings so far this year, higher than the level in 2015.

The latest happened about 5:45 p.m. Sunday at the corner of 88th Avenue and 132 Street.

Two vehicles were at the intersection on a red light when the suspect vehicle opened fired on the victim vehicle.

“The suspect vehicle was last seen travelling south on  132 from 88 and the victim vehicle was last seen travelling north on 132 from 88,” S.Sgt. Dale Carr said in news release. “No injuries have been identified at the time of this release.  The suspect vehicle was described as an SUV and the victim vehicle as a car.”

He said Surrey RCMP serious crime investigators are continuing to obtain information from several witnesses that were at or near the intersection.

And the Lower Mainland District Forensic Identification Section attended the scene and were able to gather several pieces of evidence that could advance this investigation, he said.

He said there are “no arrests or suspects at this time, unknown at this time if linked to any other shooting in recent history.”

The earlier shooting happened Saturday in the 12200-block of 92 Avenue just before 8 p.m.

S.Sgt. Blair McColl said a man “suffering from injuries was transported to a  local hospital in serious condition. The injury is not life threatening.”

He said investigators determined that a vehicle was seen fleeing the scene shortly afterward the shooting.

“There is no suspect vehicle description available at this time,” McColl said.

Gang Prevention -What can Parents do?

Research shows gang members are likely to die before age 30.

Always know where your kids are, what they are doing, and who they are with.

Explain to them that you are asking questions about their activities and whereabouts because you are interested, you love them, and you care about them.

Help your kids choose friends who are not involved in any criminal or antisocial activity.

Build strong family ties by making family events fun such as regular family dinners, outings, watching movies and playing games with them.

Accompany your kids to after school activities such as sports, and stay for the whole duration as often as possible.

Participate in parent-teacher meetings and events at your kids’ schools.

Take interest in your kids’ homework and make sure they complete it.

Encourage your kids to participate in school activities and do volunteer work in the community.

Do the same yourself.

Ensure that they take pride in their cultural/ethnic/religious/linguistic heritage while fully participating in the mainstream life of our society.

Have open communication with your kids so they feel comfortable to share with you their concerns and worries.

Thank them and reward them for sharing information, even when the information might be potentially worrisome.

Remember that kids learn a lot from observation. So modeling good behaviour yourself, such as leading a life that is free of crimes, drugs, and violence is very important.

Foster thankfulness in your kids by modeling thankfulness yourself for your own life situations and people in your life.

Remain consistent in your message to kids that although you love them unconditionally, antisocial behaviour is not acceptable. Ask questions for an honest conversation.

Emphasize the importance of ‘being true to self’ and reward them for doing the ‘right thing’ despite peer pressure.

Demonstrate that forgiving others for their harmful actions towards you is better than trying to take/plot revenge.

Keep an eye on your kids’ choice of movies, videos, and internet browsing habits. If you see a consistent theme of violence and crimes, talk to them and steer them to other entertainment choices.

Make your kids understand that although money is important, long lasting happiness in life comes from having good trusting relationships with family, friends, neighbours, and the community.

If you are worried that your kids may be involved in antisocial and/or self-destructive behavior, remember that it can be changed.

Avoid ‘tough love’ such as cutting them off or forbidding them from going out. Instead, stay involved and let your kids understand that making mistakes and wrong choices are part of learning and that you will always help them correct their mistakes.

When you are worried about your kids’ well-being and need some help, talk to their school teacher, counsellor, or even a police officer. An earlier check and prevention will help your kids stay on track and avoid getting into a dangerous life of crime, violence, and gangs.

HARPREET SINGH: A RE-ELECTED CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO COMBAT ILLEGAL DRUGS

Harpreet Singh today pointed to new, additional steps a re-elected Conservative government will take to combat drug abuse and accused his opponents of supporting policies that would make drugs even more available in Canadian neighbourhoods.

“Drugs destroy lives, rob young people of their future and tear families apart,” said Harpreet Singh.  “Justin Trudeau and the Liberals said they want marijuana available in corner stores and injection sites in more neighbourhoods.”

The Conservative government launched the National Anti-Drug Strategy in 2006 that contributes to safer communities by focusing on enforcement, prevention, and treatment.

“Our National Anti-Drug Strategy is working,” Harpreet Singh said.  But there is much more that needs to be done to combat drug use, particularly among youth.”

To counter the damage caused in communities by drug abuse, a Conservative government would strengthen the National Anti-Drug Strategy by:

Supporting a national toll-free helpline where parents can get advice to help them recognize the signs of drug use and prevent their children from using drugs in the first place

  • Implementing a 20-percent increase in funding for the RCMP’s Clandestine Laboratory teams to target the production of illegal drugs, including grow-ops and meth labs
  • Renewing the mandate of the Mental Health Commission of Canada for 10 years, and updating it to focus on links between substance abuse and mental health.

 

“These steps will help protect children and our neighbourhoods from illegal drugs,” Harpreet Singh said.  “We will also provide treatment support for those recovering from addiction problems.”

Harpreet Singh warned that the Liberals and NDP would follow a different approach, including rolling back the government’s Respect For Communities Act, which gives police, families and residents a say whenever there is a proposal to open a drug injection site.

“Justin Trudeau and the Liberals refuse to acknowledge the damage that drugs do to families and communities,” Harpreet SIngh said.  “Justin wants to make smoking marijuana normal, everyday activity for Canadians and allow the sale of marijuana in corner stores. Justin has also said, “I certainly want to see more safe injection sites opened around the country”.”

“Thomas Mulcair’s NDP supports dangerous policies that will encourage illegal drug use and increase the health, crime and community safety problems that come with it,” Harpreet Singh.  “The NDP “proudly” supports heroin injection sites and welcomes their establishment in more neighbourhoods across the country.”

“Unlike the other parties, we will not give up on treating addicts or introduce reckless policies that would encourage the use of illegal drugs,” said Harpreet Singh.