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In a coordinated effort by Canadian and American law enforcement agencies, 10 individuals were caught smuggling drugs across the US, Canada and Mexico. Three of them are of Indian origin and face being extradited to the US from Canada.

The joint operation, ‘Dead Hand’, was carried out by America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU) of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Ayush Sharma, 25, and Guramrit Sidhu, 60, from Brampton; and Subham Kumar, 29, from Calgary, are the three Indian-origin individuals facing extradition.

The operation, triggered by an international arrest warrant, centred around allegations of the individual’s involvement in a sophisticated drug trafficking network spanning Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

“Today’s charges and arrests across North America reflect the Justice Department’s close coordination with our Mexican and Canadian partners to disrupt international narcotics trafficking,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O Monaco.

The accused are suspected of conspiring to traffic and import substantial quantities of cocaine and other illicit narcotics from Mexico through Los Angeles for subsequent distribution in Canada or across the United States.

Guramrit Sidhu, also known as King, is identified as the orchestrator of the trafficking operation, overseeing the movement of huge amounts of illegal narcotics into Canada.

Sidhu allegedly procured methamphetamine from suppliers in Mexico and Los Angeles, utilising a network of long-haul truck drivers for the transportation of the illicit substances, according to the officials.

Ayush Sharma and Subham Kumar were employed as truck drivers within the operation, facilitating the cross-border transportation of illegal drugs.

The criminal network trafficked substantial quantities of illegal substances, including 845 kg of methamphetamine, 951 kg of cocaine, 20 kg of fentanyl, and 4kg of heroin, according to the American indictment data.

The estimated value of the seized drugs ranges between $16 million and $28 million.

“Customs and Border Protection’s partnerships with international, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are a key component of our efforts to combat the transnational organised crime threat and prevent the movement of dangerous illicit drugs,” said Cheryl M. Davies, Director of Field Operations of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Canadian authorities confiscated $9,40,000 in cash, 70 kg of cocaine, and four kg of heroin on the spot.

The FBI said that the accused were integral to a criminal organisation engaged in smuggling drugs, particularly cocaine, from the United States into Canada using land routes.

“Drug trafficking is a global problem being driven by sophisticated, organised crime groups who put profits over people’s lives. Motivated by greed, these criminals destroy lives, devastate families, and wreak havoc in our community,” said Martin Estrada, US Attorney for the Central District of California.

In the event of convictions, each defendant faces potential sentences ranging from 40 years to life in prison.

Notably, Guramrit Sidhu could potentially face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in jail.