Punjabi trucker charged with attempting to smuggle drugs

The RCMP Federal Policing Pacific Region (FPPR) on Wednesday disclosed that criminal charges have been officially approved against a commercial truck driver following a border drug trafficking investigation.

The border interception occurred on October 22, 2025, when Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers conducted a search of a Punjabi-origin commercial truck and trailer at the Abbotsford-Huntingdon Port of Entry in British Columbia.

RCMP allege that the driver, 47-year-old Canadian resident Khushwinder Singh Gill, attempted to enter Canada carrying two duffle bags containing 52 brick-shaped packages of suspected controlled substances.

Following the seizure, Gill was arrested under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) by officers with the FPPR Drugs and Organized Crime Group 6. Following a comprehensive investigation, the B.C. Provincial Court formally approved four criminal charges against Gill on October 19, which include charges of importation of Cocaine, contrary to section 6(1) of the CDSA, possession of Cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to Section 5(2) of the CDSA, importation of Heroin, contrary to Section 6(1) of the CDSA and possession of Heroin for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to Section 5(2) of the CDSA.

David Lee, Director for the Pacific Highway District at the Canada Border Services Agency, commended the border response, noting that halting illicit drug shipments demands constant vigilance. He emphasized that the significant seizure highlights the strong, collaborative partnership between the CBSA and the RCMP in safeguarding Canadian communities from illegal drug trafficking networks.

Staff Sergeant Eric Kimura of the RCMP FPPR Drugs and Organized Crime unit highlighted that the investigation demonstrates the real-world impact of coordinated inter-agency enforcement in stopping the cross-border flow of illicit narcotics through land ports of entry.