Authorities had seized Mehmi's Canadian passport
A Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued for Raj Kumar Mehmi, a 60-year-old Sikh truck driver from Surrey, British Columbia.
The man fled to India after being sentenced to 15 years in prison for smuggling 80 kg of cocaine into Canada.
CBC reported that Mehmi’s vehicle was randomly selected by officials for a secondary examination at the Pacific Highway border.
During the search, officers found “80 bricks of cocaine inside the sleeper cab”.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced on November 12 that an Interpol Red Notice is being sought to locate and provisionally arrest Mehmi worldwide pending extradition.
Mehmi was initially arrested on November 6, 2017, after the Canada Border Services Agency discovered 80 kg of cocaine hidden in a semi-trailer truck he owned and drove.
The street value of the cocaine at that time was estimated at $3.2 million.
He faced charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and was found guilty on both counts by a Supreme Court Judge on September 6, 2022.
Despite a sentencing hearing scheduled for January 9, 2023, Mehmi fled to India on October 11, 2022, just a month before the scheduled sentencing.
The Surrey Provincial Court of British Columbia sentenced him in absentia on November 16, 2023.
Authorities had seized Mehmi’s Canadian passport at the time of his initial arrest.
However, due to the time lapse between arrest and conviction, he was able to obtain another passport legally, which he used to travel to India.
Law enforcement agencies are describing Mehmi as approximately 6 feet tall and weighing 200 pounds.
Urging the public not to approach him, they advise contacting local police agencies with any information.
A spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Arash Seyed, expressed:
“If you locate this suspect or have information regarding his whereabouts, please do not approach him and contact your local police agency.
CBSA Pacific Region director Holly Stoner said:
“Our officers are the first line of defence in keeping illicit drugs from crossing Canada’s borders.
“We are proud to work with the RCMP to ensure those who break our laws are held accountable.
“The seizure of over $3 million of cocaine at our Pacific Highway border crossing and the subsequent 15-year conviction is a direct result of the strong partnership between our organisations.”
However, Canada now faces the huge task of locating the smuggler.
If he is in India, the likelihood of catching him is very slim, especially if he’s had time to plan his hiding.
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