Winnipeg man arrested in $50M narcotic seizure granted bail with conditions
CBC
A Winnipeg man arrested in the largest narcotic seizure in Prairie history has been granted bail with conditions.
Komalpreet Sidhu, 29, was arrested Jan. 14 attempting to cross the Boissevain port entry with 406.2 kilograms of what's believed to be methamphetamine inside a commercial truck. The total amount of suspected drugs seized adds up to an estimated street value of more than $50.7 million.
Sidhu held his head low appearing in a Brandon courtroom Thursday seeking a release from custody with conditions.
At times he sat crying, looking at his wife as his freedom was debated. The hearing was briefly halted as a translator was needed to explain court proceedings in Punjabi to Sidhu.
A semi-trailer driven by Sidhu was en route to Winnipeg when it was searched at the Boissevain port of entry by Canada Border Services Agency. When the narcotics were discovered he was arrested and taken into custody by Manitoba RCMP, along with the suspected drugs.
Sidhu faces two charges, importation of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.
Federal Crown attorney Matt Sinclair opposed the release, raising concerns about the nature of the allegations, concerns Sidhu could flee Manitoba, the protection of the public and the appearance of what could be high-level drug trafficking.
Sidhu has no criminal record.
His release was granted with conditions that include paying $20,000 for release and a cash deposit of $20,000 in surety, his wife serving as a surety, and a friend giving a $100,000 surety, no possession of illegal narcotics or alcohol or weapons, a curfew of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. at a set location in Winnipeg, wearing a GPS device at all times, and having only one cell phone that is not password protected with no messaging apps.
Sidhu must also surrender his passport to the RCMP and must not apply for any other form of travel documents.
Sinclair told the court based on the nature of the charges there were concerns conditions might not bring an end to Sidhu's alleged criminal behaviour.
"Smuggling of this quantity of methamphetamine cannot fall into Mr. Sidhu's lap … he did not get involved with this level of trafficking overnight," Sinclair said. "It takes years to earn the level of trust that he gained to smuggle in 406 kilograms of methamphetamine into Canada."
He says the Crown was especially concerned about public safety because of the damage methamphetamine has caused in the province and country, he says. The amount seized at the border is enough to give every Manitoban three doses of the drug.
Prior to his arrest, Sidhu was headed from California to Winnipeg.
While his party has made a cause célèbre out of its battle with the Speaker, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has periodically waxed poetic about the House of Commons — suggesting that its green upholstery is meant to symbolize the fields of the English countryside where commoners met centuries ago before the signing of the Magna Carta.