B.C. Supreme Court Grants $700,000 Bail to Alleged International Drug Trafficking Ringleader

B.C. Supreme Court judge has granted bail to 57-year-old Ravinder Singh Dhanda, who is accused of being the alleged ringleader of an international drug trafficking operation.

During a hearing Monday, Justice Allan Ross approved Dhanda’s release on $700,000 bail, with strict conditions including electronic ankle monitoring and 24-hour house arrest.

Dhanda is accused of trafficking cocaine from Los Angeles into Canada using long-haul transport trucks. He was arrested in July as part of Operation Hard Ball, a joint investigation involving the FBI and the RCMP.

Two other accused, Jaskaran Bagri and Gurtej Samagh, have also been charged in the case. Samagh was previously denied bail by a Vancouver court, while Bagri’s bail hearing is scheduled for later this week.

The Crown argued that Dhanda posed a flight risk. However, Justice Ross granted bail, citing his family ties and long-standing residence in the Lower Mainland.

All three accused are facing potential extradition to the United States, where they could face life imprisonment if convicted.

Dhanda is scheduled to appear in court again on September 9.