SMUGLER plate a dead giveaway

B.C. woman nabbed trying to cross border in Washington with 10 kilos of cocaine

VANCOUVER-IF you’re involved in drug smuggling and trying to keep a low profile, riding in a vehicle with a vanity plate that reads SMUGLER and staying at the Smuggler’s Inn probably aren’t the best ways to avoid attention.

Jasmin Klair, from B.C., was nabbed in Washington State in December with 10 kilograms of cocaine after Department of Homeland Security investigators received a tip from a confidential informant about possible smuggling activity.

Investigators set up surveillance in the area of the Smuggler’s Inn Bed and Breakfast, in a rural area of Blaine, Wash., about 30 metres from the border, on Dec. 15.

Around 8 p.m. that day, a black GMC Yukon driven by the inn owner (and bearing the personalized SMUGLER plate) arrived with two passengers: Klair and a guest at the inn who was not involved.

According to a complaint filed in court records, Klair was “nervous and agitated” when asked basic questions about her identity. She admitted that a large, white box in the SUV was hers and allowed officers to look inside, where they found nine bricks of cocaine.

Klair was arrested and agreed to co-operate with officers.

She said she had met with two men in Canada the day before and arranged to pick up the drugs. They gave her a prepaid phone and said she would be paid $4,000 for the job. She also was given $600 cash: $200 for a room at the inn, $100 for the driver to take her to Blaine and $300 for spending money.

Klair picked up the white box, upon which was written “Merry Xmas,” the afternoon of Dec. 15. She was dropped at a Pizza Hut and told to call the Smuggler’s Inn for a ride.

After her arrest, Klair stayed in contact with the two men via text and telephone. Around 11:40 p.m., one man called and said someone would pick up the box, and she should run back across the border with that person.

Five minutes later, a Volkswagen Jetta slowed in front of the inn. Two men got out and ran across the border. When they got close to the box, investigators moved in. The men tried to run back to Canada but they were stopped.

Gurjit Singh Sandhu, also known as Surjit Singh Sandhu, and Narminder Kaler were arrested.

Klair was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute. She entered guilty pleas in February. She has not yet been sentenced. Sandhu and Kaler were charged with attempted possession with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Their trial is scheduled for June.