Accused in Coutts drug bust makes court appearance

A Calgary man is facing drug-related charges after a trucker tried to enter Canada at the Coutts border crossing earlier this month.

On Nov. 6 a commercial transport truck arrived at the border with a shipment of bananas. Border officials searched the vehicle and found 43 kg of cocaine hidden inside the load of fruit, then referred the matter to the RCMP’s federal Integrated Border Enforcement for further investigation.

The following day, Gurkirat Singh, 26, of Calgary, was charged with single counts of importing drugs and drug possession for the purpose of trafficking, both charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. His matter was addressed for the first time Thursday in Lethbridge provincial court but simply adjourned to Jan. 5, 2023.

“Through our partnership with CBSA, as well as the support of various RCMP detachment members, we successfully prevented harmful drugs from being illegally imported into Canada and potentially causing significant harm to our communities,” Calgary’s RCMP Supt. Sean Boser said in a news release.

Brad Wozny, regional director general for the Canada Border Services Agency, also commended border officers for preventing the drugs from entering Canada.

“I want to thank CBSA and RCMP employees for their continued quick and decisive action and for their ongoing efforts to protect our country from illegal drugs, firearms and other contraband,” Wozny said.