Canadian authorities have removed two men from the country after investigations found they were involved in organised criminal networks spanning India and Canada, including extortion, arson, drug trafficking, and firearms offences.
Arshdeep Singh, who arrived in Canada on a study permit in 2022, was found inadmissible due to his involvement in a criminal organisation and deported on 19 January 2026.
Sukhnaaz Singh Sandhu, a temporary resident since 2016 and suspected member of the Ruffians gang, was similarly removed on 3 February 2026. Both men were linked to criminal activity with connections to networks operating in India.
The removals form part of a broader campaign by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to target individuals involved in extortion and organised crime. Since August 2025, the CBSA has opened 372 immigration investigations, issued 70 removal orders, and enforced 35 deportations tied to criminal networks. Operations initially focused on the Pacific and Prairie regions before expanding to the Greater Toronto Area in November 2025.
The CBSA collaborates with the BC Extortion Task Force, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT), and local police across Ontario to investigate suspected violations of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Investigations can lead to detention and removal for individuals deemed a danger to the public or a flight risk.
“Extortion empowers organised criminal groups, targets vulnerable people and inflicts lasting harm on Canadian communities,” said Erin O’Gorman, President of the CBSA.
“By increasing our removal capacity and deepening our partnerships with police, we have made significant progress toward ensuring these criminals cannot remain in Canada.”
Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, said protecting Canadians requires “constant vigilance in the face of evolving criminal threats” and emphasised that the government would continue to invest in coordinated enforcement to remove those not entitled to remain in the country.
In 2025, the CBSA removed more than 22,500 inadmissible individuals, including over 1,000 removed for serious criminality such as organised crime, human rights violations, or national security threats. The agency currently processes around 400 removals per week and has committed resources under Canada’s Border Plan to strengthen enforcement capacity, including hiring 1,000 new officers.
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