Pubdate: Fri, 20 Jan 2006
Source: Brampton Guardian (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 Brampton Guardian
Contact:  http://www.thebramptonguardian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1485
Author: Pam Douglas
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

DRUGS INVOLVED IN KIDNAPPING

The disappearance of 300 kg of marijuana destined for delivery by
truck to the United States from a Springdale home earlier this month
appears to have been the motive behind the kidnapping and beating of
Brampton truck driver Balkar Singh last Friday.

The smuggling of marijuana and possibly other drugs across the border
by transport truck appears to be at the heart of the case, according
to police sources. Police believe the drug runners' search for the
stolen marijuana led to Singh's abduction and beating, The Brampton
Guardian has learned.

The investigation into Singh's daylight, gunpoint abduction and
release two days later has taken some strange twists. The latest was a
media report this week that a tape of Singh's beating while he was
being held captive was delivered to a Toronto-area Punjabi media outlet.

Peel police detectives investigating the case were working yesterday
to obtain a copy of that tape. Why the tape was made, and who made it,
could be a key part of the ongoing investigation, according to police.

Earlier this week, two men surrendered to police and were charged in
the abduction. Sukhjit Dhaliwal, 31, of Woodbridge, and Amandeep Soos,
25, of Brampton are charged with conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to
commit aggravated assault, forcible confinement, aggravated assault
and several firearms offences. Monday is their next court appearance.

Other arrests are expected as a special 22 Division task force
continues to investigate the abduction and other criminal offences.
Four men snatched Singh at gunpoint at 4:30 p.m. Friday as he walked
in a plaza parking lot at Kennedy Road and Clarence Street.

The investigation led police to a rural house in Caledon early Monday
morning where Tactical Unit officers were confronted by armed men.

Rajesh Owaan, 21, of Concord was shot and killed by police in the
confrontation inside the home on Bramalea Road north of Mayfield Road.

Jagdeep Singh, 43, of Hamilton was also inside the house and he was
hit in the leg by a bullet. He was taken to Peel Memorial Hospital
with non-life threatening injuries. He appeared in court Tuesday, and
is now charged with breach of probation, breach of recognizance and
several firearms offences. He has not been charged in connection with
the abduction of Balkar Singh, who is not related to Jagdeep Singh. He
is also scheduled to appear in court again Jan. 23.

Police have been busy obtaining and executing more search warrants at
the Caledon house and property, but they have not revealed what it is
they are looking for.

The province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is conducting an
investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, which
involved two Peel police officers. A third officer has been designated
as a witness by the SIU.

Police say Singh was snatched at gunpoint and forced into a rented
minivan at 4:30 p.m. Friday. The minivan, an SUV and a car believed
involved in the kidnapping were later recovered-one in Brampton, the
other two in Toronto.

Singh arrived home in a taxi at 8 p.m. Sunday. He had suffered minor
injuries during the ordeal and was treated in hospital before being
extensively questioned by police.

Singh is known to police and two years ago he was the victim of a
shooting on Hwy. 401 near London. OPP at the time ruled it a case of
road rage. Singh, who was driving a truck at the time, was shot in the
shoulder.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin