9 Indian-origin men held in Canada for ‘trafficking’ drugs worth about $1 mn via airlines, post, cars

The police probe, launched in 2025, focused on individuals trafficking & moving cocaine, methamphetamine, ketamine, and prescription opioids into Manitoba.

Representational image | Winnipeg Police Service headquarters | X

Stay updated with ThePrint:

Preferred Source

Google Discover

 New Delhi: Nearly a million dollars’ worth of narcotics, including methamphetamine, cocaine, ketamine and MDMA, was being “moved” through commercial airlines, mail and passenger vehicles in a ring that has led to the arrests of several men of Indian origin, the Winnipeg Police has said.

A total of nine individuals, all of Indian origin, have been arrested from both Winnipeg and Ontario, where the police have alleged their involvement in drug trafficking, possessing controlled substances, and firearm-related offences.

In a statement, the City of Winnipeg said that the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) Organised Crime Unit in December 2025 launched an investigation into an organised crime group involved in high-level interprovincial drug trafficking. Funded by Manitoba Justice, the investigation focused on individuals trafficking and moving cocaine, methamphetamine, ketamine, and prescription opioids into Manitoba.

The Winnipeg Police identified several individuals involved in the network and have managed to determine that the “illicit drugs were being sourced from Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta and transported into Manitoba”.

The police said what they uncovered was a “sophisticated distribution network” that “exploited legitimate transportation commercial services to move illicit drugs across provincial boundaries”. The investigation has revealed the drugs were being transported to Winnipeg using various methods, including “passenger vehicles, courier services, postal shipments, and commercial airlines”.

The police further states, “Once in Winnipeg, the drugs were delivered to designated properties, where they were retrieved, stored, and subsequently distributed through various levels of the illicit drug trade.”

Several law enforcement and federal partners, including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Peel Regional Police, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) worked in coordination to bust the narcotics ring.

Indian origin men arrested

The police said that WPS investigators, with assistance from CBSA, OPP, Peel Regional Police and the RCMP, on 26 August executed multiple search warrants at locations in Winnipeg and the Greater Toronto Area, and seized approximately 29 kg of methamphetamine, whose estimated street value is $174,000, and approximately 12 kg of cocaine, whose estimated street value is $360,000.

Further, police have seized approximately three kg of ketamine, whose estimated street value is $101,000, approximately two kg of MDMA, whose estimated street value is $5,000, approximately 1,800 LSD tabs, whose estimated street value is $9,000, approximately 25,000 prescription opioid and other controlled-substance pills, whose estimated street value is $312,000.

Further, the police said they have also seized approximately 31 grammes of heroin, whose estimated street value is $3,000, approximately 207 cannabis edible packages, whose estimated street value is $2,000, or approximately $126,000 in Canadian currency.

Along with that, the police seized six firearms and ammunition — including two .22 calibre rifles, three 12-gauge shotguns, SKS-style rifles, and over 800 rounds of compatible ammunition. Police also seized a conducted energy weapon, and four vehicles — a Mercedes Benz GLC300, Chevrolet Silverado 2500 LTZ Crew Cab, Chevrolet Cruze LT Turbo, and Cadillac CTS.

The estimated street value of the drugs seized is approximately $970,000, the police have said.

Those arrested from Winnipeg have been identified as Tarundev Singh (32). The police claim Singh was involved in drug trafficking, possession, proceeds of crime and firearm-related offences, and has been detained in custody. Devinder Singh (57), also accused of drug trafficking and proceeds of crime-related offences, has been detained, as have Amandeep Singh (47), Mandeep Singh Dutta (37), Karanvir Singh (24), and Maganpreet Boparai (25).

From Ontario, the police have arrested Tarnvir Sandhu (37), Karan Joshi (34), and Manjinder Singh Sagoo (43). The police said that Amandeep, Mandeep, Maganpreet, and Manjinder have been released on a release order, while others remain in custody.

(Edited by Nardeep Singh Dahiya)