B.C. court rules drug suspects sought by U.S. may seek trial in Canada

The British Columbia Supreme Court has ruled that three men facing extradition to the United States for alleged involvement in transnational drug trafficking may seek to be tried in Canada, though the court noted this possibility is “speculative at this point.”

The suspects, identified as Gurtej Smagh, Jaskarn Baghri, and Ravinder Dhanda, were arrested in British Columbia last month. American authorities have charged them in connection with an indictment involving the smuggling of cocaine and methamphetamine from the United States into Canada.

Defense lawyers had previously argued that a publication ban on evidence from bail hearings was necessary to prevent jeopardizing a fair trial in the U.S. However, Justice Elizabeth McDonald rejected this, stating that jury screening processes would be more effective. The defense also claimed media coverage had created a “false impression” of a connection to the India-based Lawrence Bishnoi gang. While the men are part of a broader international crackdown on organized crime, they are currently charged under a separate indictment specifically for drug trafficking.