A $4 million drug bust in Saskatchewan is set for a retrial following the tracking of a suspect’s cellphone in connection with methamphetamine shipments crossing the U.S.-Canada border. Parminder Singh, 23, and Sahilpreet Grewal, 22, were previously acquitted due to a violation of their Charter rights during a traffic stop near Maidstone, Sask. However, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal overturned the acquittal, citing errors in the initial trial judge’s decision.
The case stemmed from an investigation triggered by drug seizures at the Coutts, Alta., border in early 2023. Authorities seized significant amounts of methamphetamine in two separate incidents. Subsequent tracking of Singh’s cellphone movements led to a traffic stop on June 1, 2023, where officers discovered a large quantity of meth and cocaine in the vehicle.
During the traffic stop, officers observed suspicious behavior from Singh and Grewal, leading to their arrest for suspected drug trafficking. The judge in the original trial ruled the arrests as Charter rights violations due to the subjective nature of the officers’ belief. However, the Court of Appeal disagreed, emphasizing that the officers’ actions were justifiable under the circumstances.
The decision to order a new trial underscores the importance of proper legal procedures and the potential impact of excluded evidence on case outcomes. The retrial will provide an opportunity to reassess the evidence and determine the final verdict in this high-profile drug trafficking case.