Indo-Canadian truck driver accused of drug supply, cocaine worth $8.7 million seized

toronto (Uttam Hindu News): An Indian truck driver from Canada has been charged with trying to bring nearly $8.7 million worth of cocaine into the US, according to court documents. Gagandeep Singh, a citizen of India and resident of Canada, was charged with “distributing a controlled substance.”

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit asked Singh to stop for inspection around 11:45 pm on Monday, CTV News reported, citing documents.

“The defendant ignored the officers and attempted to proceed through the toll, despite being stopped by CBP officers,” the criminal complaint states.

Authorities found 13 cardboard boxes sealed with duct tape in a transport trailer after a Border Police dog, K-9, alerted them to the smell of controlled substances.

A “white powdery” substance with a street value of 290 kilograms was found, which was believed to be cocaine.

“I estimate, based on my training and experience, that the street value of the suspected cocaine seized is approximately $8,700,000,” Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Jeffrey Richardson wrote in the complaint.

Richardson alleged that the seizure was consistent with large-scale drug distribution activities.

He told the court that scissors and duct tape matching the tape used to seal the boxes were found in the cab of the transport.

According to officials, Singh’s manifest indicated he was carrying “agriculture equipment”, but the stamp on the trailer was for a Canadian health and beauty company.