Gurvinder Singh, a 42-year-old Indian-origin Australian man, has been arrested after two years of multi-agency investigation for allegedly masterminding an international drug racket that smuggle 20 million illegal cigarettes and nearly half a tonne of drugs into Sydney, the Australia Today reported. The racket involved cocaine concealed in cement bags, 280 kg of liquid methamphetamine and a network of “trusted insiders” at port facilities who helped the racked. The syndicate generated at least $443,000 in proceeds from selling illegal cigarettes on Sydney’s black market alone.
Suspected shipment from Vancouver
In August 2024, the Australian police intercepted a consignment of 280 kg of liquid methamphetamine shipped from Canada’s Vancouver. Officers traced the illicit cargo to a clandestine cool-down operation in Riverstone and arrested two men who led the investigation to Singh. Further investigations revealed that similar shipments were coming from Panama, the UAE and during one operation police even swapped the cocaine with an inert substance.
150 officers raided Singh’s property
Last week, more than 150 officers executed coordinated raised and Singh was apprehended outside a private residence. Six associates—two of whom are Canadian nationals, 24-year-old Aman Kang and 31-year-old Mani Singh Dhaliwal—were also taken into custody.Singh faces a total of five counts of importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs and illegal tobacco, two counts of dealing with proceeds of crime, and two counts relating to leading a criminal group.If convicted, he could face life imprisonment. Kang and Dhaliwal each face charges of possessing a commercial quantity of drugs and participating in a criminal group. All suspects were denied bail during their initial appearances and will next appear at Downing Centre Local Court in July.Singh’s lawyer argued that his client should be released on bail because of his underlying health conditions and also as he is the sole breadwinner of the family.