Border agents still on scene at Penticton home

CBSA focus seems to be garage, neighbours say

Officers from the Canada Border Services Agency remained on site at a home on Heather Road in Penticton, Friday, following a dramatic raid of the property which began Thursday at 9 a.m.

As of 5 p.m. Friday, there were two unmarked cars still outside the home of Paul and Vijay Singla.

The Singlas are well-known businesspeople in the community.

Paul is one of the owners of Singla Brothers Holdings, which is involved in property development and rental housing. Vijay is a real-estate agent with Fair Realty in Penticton.

Singla Brothers operates more than 200 rental units in the South Okanagan.

According to neighbours, a large team of agents was still at the scene for most of the day, Friday, focusing on activity inside the garage of the home.

The Singlas have not responded to requests by Okanagan Weekend for comment.

Meanwhile, Canada Border Services Agency issued a brief statement, Friday, offering scant details as to the nature of the investigation.

“The Canada Border Services Agency was involved in an enforcement action at a location in Penticton on June 7,” senior communications adviser Ben Letts said in a statement.

“The CBSA conducts enforcement actions where necessary for Customs Act or Immigration and Refugee Protection Act contraventions.”