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The saga of the Canadian Border Guards
Canadian border guard sentenced to five years for helping smugglers
Seattle court hands down term after guilty plea in cocaine export conspiracy
Vancouver Sun - November 7, 2011 9:47 AM
A Canada Border Services Agency border guard who helped cocaine traffickers smuggle drugs into B.C. has been sentenced to five years in a U.S. jail, followed by four years of supervised release.
Jasbir Singh Grewal, 40, was handed the term in a Seattle courtroom Friday by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Robert Lasnik.
Details of Grewal's plea agreement, as well as the U.S. Attorney's sentencing memo, were sealed under court order.
Grewal, a longtime Abbotsford resident, pleaded guilty in July to one count of conspiracy to export cocaine from the U.S. into Canada.
The U.S. Attorney alleged Grewal misused his border post to aid to a drug gang linked to the Hells Angels that has already seen high-profile members like Rob Shannon, Jody York and Devron Quast convicted and sentenced in the United States.
Also charged in Washington state in connection with the same drug ring is former Mountie Rapinder (Rob) Sidhu, who is currently on trial in Surrey for impersonating a police officer to illegally access information about the Bacon brothers' location.
That trial has been adjourned until March 2012.
The Sidhu indictment said the ex-cop, who left the RCMP in 2003 in the middle of an internal investigation, "recruited an employee of the Canada Border Services Agency, who agreed to allow and did allow vehicles containing cocaine to pass through his lane at the Lynden/ Aldergrove Port of Entry."
Grewal was originally charged in November 2008, though a U.S. warrant wasn't issued until June 2009.
The U.S. indictment said Grewal allowed at least 12 large shipments of cocaine concealed in motor homes to cross into B.C. from Washington state.
"Jasbir Singh Grewal, an employee of the Canada Border Services Agency, abused his position of trust and influence with the government of Canada by allowing the co-conspirators travelling by recreational vehicles to exit the United States through the Lynden/Aldergrove Port of Entry," the indictment said.
"Jasbir Singh Grewal was typically paid $50,000 for successfully smuggling each load of cocaine."
The court documents laid out in detail one of the shipments linked to Grewal.
"In July 2007, Jasbir Singh Grewal was on duty at the Aldergrove point of entry. He was wearing his departmentissued uniform in service of the Canada Border Services Agency. Jasbir Singh Grewal was told by telephone that a recreational vehicle containing cocaine was soon to approach the international border crossing. ...
"The driver of the recreational vehicle was told to approach the crossing at a specific booth that was staffed by Jasbir Singh Grewal. The driver complied with his instruction and Jasbir Singh Grewal knowingly passed the vehicle containing the cocaine. ... In exchange for the vehicle to pass, Jasbir Singh Grewal was paid $50,000."
The U.S. Attorney also said that prior to July 24, 2007, Grewal made arrangements with associates to import 270 kilos of cocaine and earned an extra $600,000 U.S. in the last six months of 2007 alone.
"Jasbir Singh Grewal failed to document the border crossings each time the recreational vehicle containing cocaine passed into Canada. He did so to avoid detection by law enforcement to his and his conspirators illegal activities."
The drug ring moved more than $19 million worth of marijuana south and cocaine north over five years ending in 2008, the U.S. Attorney said.
So far, 24 B.C. men have pleaded guilty to their roles in the massive operation and received sentences ranging from probation to 20 years behind bars.
kbolan@{censored}
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
source: http://www.{censored}/news/Canadian...ve+years+helping+smugglers/5667800/story.html
Former border guard takes stand at drug-smuggling trial
By ANDY IVENS, The Province - November 7, 2011 12:07 PM
A former border guard took the witness stand in his own defence Monday morning at his drug-smuggling trial in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster.
Baljinder Kandola, 39, and co-accused Shminder Johal are on trial on multiple charges related to firearms, drugs, conspiracy, breach of trust and bribing an official.
Kandola worked for the Canada Border Services Agency for six years. It’s alleged that Johal and Kandola conspired with two others to smuggle at least 208 kilograms of cocaine and guns into Canada.
The two men — Herman Riar and Charles Lai — both pleaded guilty for their roles. Riar was sentenced to 12 years in jail and Lai was given a 13-year sentence.
Kandola told Justice Selwyn Romilly, who is sitting without a jury, about his relationship with Johal, his co-accused.
Kandola said that while working at the Pacific Border crossing he became familiar with auto importer Johal, who frequently used the border.
He said they first met away from work when they ran into each other at a Surrey restaurant. They were both with their families at the time.
Gradually they developed a friendly relationship, he testified.
In one of their meetings at dinner “he mentioned he was having difficulties crossing the border,” testified Kandola.
He said he told Johal that there was “not much I can do” and referred him to the Freedom of Information Act to find out what was on his file.
They ran into each other away from work a number of times after that, said Kandola.
Kandola tesified that everytime he ran Johal’s name through CBSA databases while at work it came back “negative”.
He said he “never” found any contraband or anything suspicious when ran his name on May 7, 2005.
Kandola testified he slowly became more familiar with Johal.
Asked by his lawyer James Sutherland whether a familiarity develops generally between CBSA officers and clients, Kandola replied: “Yes.”
“When you see the same individuals all the time you warm up,” said Kandola.
Kandola’s testimony continues today.
aivens@theprovince.com
© Copyright (c) The Province
source: http://www.theprovince.com/news/For...stand+drug+smuggling+trial/5669964/story.html
Canadian border guard sentenced to five years for helping smugglers
Seattle court hands down term after guilty plea in cocaine export conspiracy
Vancouver Sun - November 7, 2011 9:47 AM
A Canada Border Services Agency border guard who helped cocaine traffickers smuggle drugs into B.C. has been sentenced to five years in a U.S. jail, followed by four years of supervised release.
Jasbir Singh Grewal, 40, was handed the term in a Seattle courtroom Friday by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Robert Lasnik.
Details of Grewal's plea agreement, as well as the U.S. Attorney's sentencing memo, were sealed under court order.
Grewal, a longtime Abbotsford resident, pleaded guilty in July to one count of conspiracy to export cocaine from the U.S. into Canada.
The U.S. Attorney alleged Grewal misused his border post to aid to a drug gang linked to the Hells Angels that has already seen high-profile members like Rob Shannon, Jody York and Devron Quast convicted and sentenced in the United States.
Also charged in Washington state in connection with the same drug ring is former Mountie Rapinder (Rob) Sidhu, who is currently on trial in Surrey for impersonating a police officer to illegally access information about the Bacon brothers' location.
That trial has been adjourned until March 2012.
The Sidhu indictment said the ex-cop, who left the RCMP in 2003 in the middle of an internal investigation, "recruited an employee of the Canada Border Services Agency, who agreed to allow and did allow vehicles containing cocaine to pass through his lane at the Lynden/ Aldergrove Port of Entry."
Grewal was originally charged in November 2008, though a U.S. warrant wasn't issued until June 2009.
The U.S. indictment said Grewal allowed at least 12 large shipments of cocaine concealed in motor homes to cross into B.C. from Washington state.
"Jasbir Singh Grewal, an employee of the Canada Border Services Agency, abused his position of trust and influence with the government of Canada by allowing the co-conspirators travelling by recreational vehicles to exit the United States through the Lynden/Aldergrove Port of Entry," the indictment said.
"Jasbir Singh Grewal was typically paid $50,000 for successfully smuggling each load of cocaine."
The court documents laid out in detail one of the shipments linked to Grewal.
"In July 2007, Jasbir Singh Grewal was on duty at the Aldergrove point of entry. He was wearing his departmentissued uniform in service of the Canada Border Services Agency. Jasbir Singh Grewal was told by telephone that a recreational vehicle containing cocaine was soon to approach the international border crossing. ...
"The driver of the recreational vehicle was told to approach the crossing at a specific booth that was staffed by Jasbir Singh Grewal. The driver complied with his instruction and Jasbir Singh Grewal knowingly passed the vehicle containing the cocaine. ... In exchange for the vehicle to pass, Jasbir Singh Grewal was paid $50,000."
The U.S. Attorney also said that prior to July 24, 2007, Grewal made arrangements with associates to import 270 kilos of cocaine and earned an extra $600,000 U.S. in the last six months of 2007 alone.
"Jasbir Singh Grewal failed to document the border crossings each time the recreational vehicle containing cocaine passed into Canada. He did so to avoid detection by law enforcement to his and his conspirators illegal activities."
The drug ring moved more than $19 million worth of marijuana south and cocaine north over five years ending in 2008, the U.S. Attorney said.
So far, 24 B.C. men have pleaded guilty to their roles in the massive operation and received sentences ranging from probation to 20 years behind bars.
kbolan@{censored}
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
source: http://www.{censored}/news/Canadian...ve+years+helping+smugglers/5667800/story.html
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Former border guard takes stand at drug-smuggling trial
By ANDY IVENS, The Province - November 7, 2011 12:07 PM
A former border guard took the witness stand in his own defence Monday morning at his drug-smuggling trial in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster.
Baljinder Kandola, 39, and co-accused Shminder Johal are on trial on multiple charges related to firearms, drugs, conspiracy, breach of trust and bribing an official.
Kandola worked for the Canada Border Services Agency for six years. It’s alleged that Johal and Kandola conspired with two others to smuggle at least 208 kilograms of cocaine and guns into Canada.
The two men — Herman Riar and Charles Lai — both pleaded guilty for their roles. Riar was sentenced to 12 years in jail and Lai was given a 13-year sentence.
Kandola told Justice Selwyn Romilly, who is sitting without a jury, about his relationship with Johal, his co-accused.
Kandola said that while working at the Pacific Border crossing he became familiar with auto importer Johal, who frequently used the border.
He said they first met away from work when they ran into each other at a Surrey restaurant. They were both with their families at the time.
Gradually they developed a friendly relationship, he testified.
In one of their meetings at dinner “he mentioned he was having difficulties crossing the border,” testified Kandola.
He said he told Johal that there was “not much I can do” and referred him to the Freedom of Information Act to find out what was on his file.
They ran into each other away from work a number of times after that, said Kandola.
Kandola tesified that everytime he ran Johal’s name through CBSA databases while at work it came back “negative”.
He said he “never” found any contraband or anything suspicious when ran his name on May 7, 2005.
Kandola testified he slowly became more familiar with Johal.
Asked by his lawyer James Sutherland whether a familiarity develops generally between CBSA officers and clients, Kandola replied: “Yes.”
“When you see the same individuals all the time you warm up,” said Kandola.
Kandola’s testimony continues today.
aivens@theprovince.com
© Copyright (c) The Province
source: http://www.theprovince.com/news/For...stand+drug+smuggling+trial/5669964/story.html
