Pubdate: Mon, 21 Aug 2006
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2006 Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: Mary Vallis, Agence France Presse, With files from Mary 
Vallis, Agence France Presse; National Post
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

CANADIAN ARRESTED IN INDIAN DRUG BUST

Shipment Was For Canada Or California: Reports

NEW DELHI - A Canadian man was arrested with US$5-million worth of 
illegal drugs in the Indian capital on Saturday, in what was billed 
as a major effort to stop narcotics from being shipped to North 
America, police said.

About 100 kilograms of ephedrine, hashish and other illegal drugs 
were seized overnight from Girdish Singh Toor, 29, while he was 
leading a convoy of vehicles in New Delhi, police deputy commissioner 
Ravindra Yadav said.

Varying reports out of New Delhi said the drugs were headed for San 
Diego or Canada.

"As per officials of Narcotics Control Bureau and U.S. Drug 
Enforcement [Agency] of the U.S. embassy in India, this is the 
biggest catch ever" of drugs used at raves and other large parties in 
the West, Mr. Yadav said.

"The value of the seized drugs is more than $5-million in the 
international market," Mr. Yadav said. Three more men were arrested 
under India's tough anti-narcotics laws and more arrests are 
expected, he added.

Mr. Toor, who arrived from Canada on an Indian visa two years ago, 
was arrested after the police noted a lavish lifestyle of high-end 
hotels and expensive cars. He came to India with two other Canadians 
and two unnamed men of Chinese origin to set up an international drug 
syndicate, with the help of the three arrested Indians who supplied 
banned drugs such as ephedrine, Mr. Yadav said.

Rejean Beaulieu, a spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs in 
Ottawa, yesterday said the government is still working to confirm Mr. 
Toor is a Canadian citizen.

"We have been made aware of a case that could involve a Canadian," 
Mr. Beaulieu said. "We are checking if this individual is indeed 
Canadian, if he has citizenship. If it's the case, we will offer 
consular services, as we do."

Three other men were also arrested.

Press reports from India said the drugs were neatly stored in small 
pouches that were placed in the cavities of framed paintings.

"He [Mr. Toor] was contacted by Canadian and Chinese drug cartels and 
he was supplying this drug to them," Mr. Yadav said, according to the 
Indo Asian News Service.

Ephedrine, a stimulant, can be used as a base to make drugs such as 
Ecstasy and other amphetamines.

India has pressed for an international treaty endorsed by the United 
Nations to crack down the drug trade because it is a key source of 
funding for terror groups.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman