Local truck company owner sentenced to 9 years on drug trafficking-related charges
The owner of a local transport truck company has been sentenced to nine years in prison after he was found guilty of importing drugs into Canada.
Preet Kiran Singh Gill, 47, was in court Tuesday to hear his sentence. In April, he was found guilty of importing cocaine into the country as well as being in possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
“My client maintains his innocence,” said Gill's defence lawyer Frank Miler.
On Sept. 18, 2017, during a secondary inspection at the Ambassador Bridge, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials found and seized 25 blocks adding up to 30.6 kilograms of cocaine within the load of a transport truck.
Truckers Gill, who owned the trucking company, and driver Suresh Sharma were arrested and charged upon their return from California.
During the trial, Gill's legal counsel suggested that he and Sharma were not aware cocaine was being added to their cargo.
Justice Pamela Hebner rejected that suggestion saying it was implausible. She pointed to three undocumented stops on the way back from California where the cocaine could have been loaded.
Tuesday, Gill was handed a nine-year sentence, minus sixteen days for time served, for importing cocaine and six years for possession for the purpose of trafficking, to be served concurrently.
Gill’s wife broke down in tears when he was brought into custody following sentencing.
“This whole matter has not been good for anyone in the family as you can imagine,” said Miller.
RCMP Constable Ian Smith feels justice was served.
“We can hope when we get decisions like this that it'll prevent other people from doing the same crime,” he said.
Smith says this type of activity happens too often.
“Seizures at the border here in Windsor and Sarnia, our officers are responsible for that and we're going, I’m gonna say probably once a month for these large seizures.”
Gill's lawyer says errors were made when assessing facts during the trial.
“The appeal process has already been started. We anticipate him being released on bail pending his appeal on Monday,” said Miller.
If the appeal is granted Miller says it could be up to a couple of years before the case is back in court for a retrial.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.