Two people are facing charges after police seized about $8 million worth of drugs from a vehicle during a traffic stop last week.
Police stopped a Dodge Caravan on October 4 at 3:00 a.m. inside the city limits and found about 66 kilograms of cocaine, 30 kilograms of methamphetamine and $41,000 in cash inside the vehicle.
“There was information gathered that led us to that vehicle and subsequently to this seizure,” said Inspector Keith Cain, of the CPS Criminal Network Section. ”There was a series of search warrants conducted following this traffic stop. One at a residence, at a business and another vehicle so, it matters where we find it whether it’s a vehicle or a house, it’s concerning regardless. Certainly, I would guess they were transporting it to somewhere, where exactly that was going to be, I’m not sure.”
Police say a stun gun was also located during a search of the residence but no other weapons were found.
Officials say the seizure was the result of a three month investigation and two people are now facing charges.
Navjot Singh 23, is charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Gurjeet Ghotra, 20, is charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
“These two individuals were not known to the police so certainly we have to believe with these types of drugs and this amount of drugs it’s somehow related to organized crime so we’ll be following up on that. The two individuals were not cooperative,” said Cain.
Cain says Singh and Ghotra were not known to police and that there is another person of interest that they are looking at.
“We’ve spoken with that person and there’s going to be some ongoing investigation.”
Investigators say the drugs are worth about $8 million on the street and that it is the largest drug seizure in the Calgary Police Service’s history.
“This was surprising, shocking to us to get this amount and to get two different types of drugs in the same vehicle,” said Cain. “We were surprised with the amount.”
Cain says there is still a strong demand for these types of drugs in the city.
“Given the fact that we seized this amount, unfortunately, there still is a strong demand for it,” said Cain. “Dealing with the supply and enforcement is one side but certainly dealing with demand is vital.”
Derek Jugnauth, Singh’s lawyer, says the men appeared in court on Wednesday and were granted bail after posting $10,000 cash and a $25,000 surety.
They also had to surrender their passports, agree to a nightly curfew and have been prohibited from having weapons in their possession.
They are scheduled to appear in court on November 2.
Police say additional charges are pending and that they are working with the CBSA to determine if there is an international connection.
Anyone with information on drug trafficking is asked to contact the police non-emergency number, 403-266-1234, or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
