VANCOUVER — Three British Columbia men facing extradition to the United States over alleged involvement in a major cross-border drug-trafficking operation could seek to have their cases tried in Canada, according to a newly released British Columbia Supreme Court ruling.The three accused are Gurtej Singh Smagh of Creston, Jaskarn Baghri of Surrey and Ravinder Singh Dhanda of Vancouver. They were arrested in British Columbia last month after U.S. authorities sought their extradition in connection with allegations of international drug trafficking. The court has described the possibility of a Canadian trial as “speculative at this point.”
The three men are facing charges in a U.S. indictment alleging that they were involved in the transportation, smuggling and distribution of large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine from the United States into Canada. The indictment alleges that the operation moved hundreds of kilograms of drugs regularly. According to the U.S. indictment, Dhanda allegedly played a central role in arranging transportation and logistics for drug shipments. Prosecutors allege that drugs were concealed in long-haul trucks travelling from Southern California toward the U.S.-Canada border.
The indictment also alleges that Baghri and Smagh were involved in coordinating aspects of the operation. It specifically alleges that Smagh obtained information concerning the timing and location of Canadian border inspections from a person working for the Canada Border Services Agency, allegedly to assist drug shipments crossing the border. These allegations have not been proven in court. The U.S. indictment further alleges that Dhanda, Baghri and Smagh met in South Surrey in January 2025 to discuss logistics for future shipments of cocaine and methamphetamine into Canada.The case has attracted significant attention because the arrests were announced as part of a broader U.S.-led crackdown on transnational organized crime networks operating across North America and elsewhere.
A recent B.C. Supreme Court ruling also dealt with concerns surrounding publicity and the potential impact of media coverage on the men’s future proceedings. Their lawyers had argued that extensive publicity could affect their ability to receive a fair trial in the United States. Justice Elizabeth McDonald rejected the argument that a broad publication ban was necessary, finding that jury screening would provide a more effective safeguard if the men are ultimately tried in the United States. The extradition proceedings remain ongoing, and the question of where the three men will ultimately face trial has not been decided.All three men are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.