Canadian Punjabi man sentenced to 20 years in U.S. for leading cross-border drug trafficking operation

A Canadian man of Punjabi origin has been sentenced to 20 years in a U.S. federal prison after admitting to leading an international drug trafficking organization that smuggled large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine from the United States into Canada.

According to U.S. court documents, 63-year-old Guramrit Sidhu pleaded guilty on March 26, 2026, to charges related to his role in the trafficking operation. He had been in U.S. custody since October 2024.

Prosecutors said Sidhu led the criminal organization between September 2020 and February 2023. Investigators determined that between Sept. 13 and Oct. 24, 2022, the network attempted to transport approximately 523 kilograms of methamphetamine and 347 kilograms of cocaine in eight separate shipments. Authorities intercepted and seized the drugs, which had an estimated international street value of between US$15 million and US$17 million.

Court records indicate Sidhu is the eighth person convicted in connection with the investigation. Several other members of the trafficking network have previously been sentenced, receiving prison terms ranging from 27 months to 108 months based on their roles in the operation.