The RCMP has arrested five individuals allegedly linked to a network trafficking drugs between Mexico, the United States and Canada. They were arrested under an international arrest warrant and will be extradited for trial in the United States. The individuals are:
- Ivan Gravel Gonzalez, 32, of Trois-Rivières (Qc)
- Roberto Scoppa, 55, of Montréal (Qc)
- Ayush Sharma, 25, of Brampton (Ont.)
- Guramrit Sidhu, 60, of Brampton (Ont.)
- Subham Kumar, 29, of Calgary (Alb.)
According to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigation, the five men are allegedly part of a criminal organization smuggling drugs, including cocaine, from the United States to Canada by land.
Thanks to collaboration between the FBI and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), $940,000 in cash, 70 kg of cocaine and 4 kg of heroin were seized in Canada.
"The CFSEU uses innovative investigative techniques and plays a vital role in the RCMP's response to organized crime in Quebec. Our integrated multidisciplinary team demonstrates, once again, its expertise in destabilizing the illicit activities of organized criminal groups."
"Organized crime groups continue to bring increasingly toxic drugs into our communities, a trend that has had a devastating impact on many Canadians, and most regrettably, our children and youth. As Canada's national police force, the RCMP is dedicated to disrupting the flow of illegal drugs into our country, looking beyond our borders to where these threats originate and stopping them at the source. This operation demonstrates the close work we do with our international partners to combat transnational organized crime, helping keep our communities safe on both sides of the border."
Appeal to the public
Do you have information on the illegal activities of individuals or groups of individuals? Contact the RCMP at 514-939-8300/1-800-771-5401 or your local police department.