In a massive enforcement operation, Canadian authorities have busted a major drug and terror syndicate thought to be linked with Khalistan-aligned groups.
The operation conducted by Peel Regional Police and codenamed Project Pelican resulted in the largest drug bust in Canadian history.
Officials seized a whopping 479 kilograms of cocaine worth about $47.9 million. In the crackdown, nine persons were apprehended, seven of whom are Indian-origin men who live in Canada.
Police authorities said that the ring used commercial trucking routes between Canada and the United States. Further investigations uncovered connections with notorious Mexican drug cartels and U.S. distribution channels.
Sources informed The Times of India that the narcotics trade proceeds were being directed into anti-India activities, such as coordinating protests, carrying out referendums, and acquiring weapons. Intelligence agencies also opine that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) might be supporting the network, using Khalistani groups in Canada to smuggle drugs like Mexican cocaine and heroin from Afghanistan.
The suspects arrested have been named as Sajgith Yogendrarajah (31), Manpreet Singh (44), Philip Tep (39), Arvinder Powar (29), Karamjit Singh (36), Gurtej Singh (36), Sartaj Singh (27), Shiv Onkar Singh (31), and Hao Tommy Huynh (27).
This development comes just ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s planned trip to Canada to attend the upcoming G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, scheduled from June 15 to 17. The visit follows a personal invitation from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who recently spoke to Modi over the phone.
Prime Minister Modi, in a social media post, congratulated Carney on his recent election victory and thanked the guest of honor for inviting him to the summit. He highlighted the close relationship between the two democracies and was optimistic about improved bilateral cooperation.
"India and Canada, as dynamic democracies with deep connections, will engage together with new vigor and common purpose," Modi wrote. He also mentioned that he was eager to meet Carney at the summit.
Addressing from Ottawa, Prime Minister Carney indicated that the emphasis of the G7 meeting would be on developing inclusive partnerships with emerging and developing economies.
He emphasized India's critical position in global supply chains and its status as a significant economic power and a central participant in such discourse.
Read also| PM Modi’s Visit: India and Canada to Chart New Course in Bilateral Relations
Read also| Thanking Macron for Counter-Terror Backing: Jaishankar’s Diplomatic Outreach
