Another suspect has been arrested on allegations of importing illegal drugs into Canada via the Blue Water Bridge, although it’s not clear if the latest charges are linked to a trucker.
Chander Sidhar, 55, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with importing cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, both under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The alleged incident took place that day in Point Edward, home to the Canadian side of the bridge that connects Ontario and Michigan.
An attempt to get more information on the incident from border officials was unsuccessful.
“At this time, we cannot provide details because an ongoing investigation is going on,” a Canada Border Services Agency spokesperson said via email.
Border officials usually release details on large drug busts, although sometimes not for several weeks after the alleged incidents.
Sidhar appeared Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in a virtual Sarnia courtroom from the city’s jail. On Thursday, he told the court, through a Punjabi interpreter, that he hadn’t hired a lawyer or been able to talk to his family. Duty counsel Sarah Edgar told Sidhar she talked to his family, who said they’re working on getting a lawyer for him.
On Friday, Harval Bassi, a Mississauga-based lawyer, told the court he is representing Sidhar and asked for the case to be adjourned to next week. In the meantime, a special bail conference is being scheduled, he said.
Although it’s not clear if the latest importing charge is tied to a trucker, there have been four alleged major drug bust at the Blue Water Bridge involving commercial trucks earlier this year.
Suitcases holding 100 bricks of suspected cocaine were discovered in late June. About 60 kilograms of suspected cocaine was found in April, although new charges linked to heroin were later ugly. In January, about 265 kilograms of suspected heroin, pink cocaine and meth was seized.
Three of the four suspects, all truckers, were granted bail, including one last month. One trucker had their lease denied. All the cases are still before the courts.