A former Punjabi-language broadcaster from British Columbia has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison after admitting to smuggling more than 100 kilograms of methamphetamine across the US–Canada border.
Sukhvinder Kaur Sangha, 47, pleaded guilty to unlawful importation following her arrest in October 2021, when she attempted to flee a border crossing in Surrey, B.C., in a rental vehicle.
The B.C. Supreme Court found Sangha’s claims that she was coerced into the crime were “untruthful”, with Justice John Gibb-Carsley concluding she was a “trusted and willing participant” in the drug operation.
According to court documents cited by local media, Sangha arrived at the Pacific border crossing claiming she had travelled to Washington State for a family funeral. When directed to a secondary inspection, she sped away, triggering a police chase before being stopped nearby.
A search of the vehicle uncovered four duffel bags containing 108kg of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value ranging from $1 million to $10 million.
The court heard Sangha had previously worked for around a decade in Punjabi-language radio and television, producing news content and interviewing public figures including politicians and police.
However, text message evidence presented in court suggested she had been involved in similar cross-border activities before, undermining her claims of acting under threat.
Justice Gibb-Carsley said her testimony lacked credibility and diminished any genuine remorse.
“I expect that Ms Sangha is remorseful because she was caught… but that is different than being remorseful for her offending behaviour,” he said.
In sentencing, the judge stressed the serious consequences of drug trafficking, stating: “It is not a victimless crime.”
He added that he hoped Sangha would use her time in custody to reflect and ensure this would be her “last interaction with the criminal justice system.”
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
