TRUCKER Komalpreet Sidhu, 29, of Winnipeg has been arrested in what the authorities are calling “the largest seizure of illegal narcotics to occur in the Prairie Region.”

On January 14, Canada Border Services Agency officers discovered and seized 406.2 kg of suspected methamphetamine, approximately 4 million illicit doses valued at over $50,780,000, following the examination of a commercial truck at the Boissevain port of entry in southern Manitoba.

The driver was carrying a shipment destined for Winnipeg. He was arrested by the CBSA and transferred to the Manitoba RCMP along with the suspected narcotics.

He has been charged with importation of Methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

He appeared in Manitoba Law Courts on February 1.

RCMP believe that the size of the shipment indicates that organized crime at the local, national and international levels was involved.

Inspector Joe Telus, Federal Policing, Manitoba RCMP, said: “This substantial seizure by the Canada Border Services Agency means that approximately 4 million illicit methamphetamine doses will not reach our streets and takes away over 50 million dollars from the hands of organized crime networks and local drug traffickers. These drugs were destined not only for the streets of Winnipeg, but throughout Manitoba and beyond. There is no doubt this shipment would have inflicted significant harm to our communities.”

Sidhu, who is an Indian national who came to Canada in 2014 and is a permanent resident, was granted bail with conditions.

Federal Crown attorney Matt Sinclair opposed his release. He said that when he was arrested, Sidhu told the RCMP he had three phones. When one of them was plugged in to protect and secure evidence, it became locked before being wiped. Sinclair called this the hallmark of a high-level drug trafficker, CBC reported on Thursday.

Sidhu’s defence claim is that he is a blind courier.