Two  Indian-origin Canadians charged in U.S-led takedown of transnational drug cartel

Among those arrested in Canada on November 18  are Toronto criminal defence lawyer Deepak Balwant Paradkar, 62, and crime blogger Gursewak Singh Bal, 31, both of whom face extradition to the U.S. All allegations arise from U.S. indictments, DOJ and FBI statements, and U.S. Treasury sanctions orders.

U.S. prosecutors allege Paradkar, who has represented high-profile clients in Canada, acted far beyond the role of defence counsel. Citing the indictment and Treasury Department sanctions, the DOJ alleges he advised Wedding that killing the Colombian witness would prevent his extradition on earlier drug trafficking charges and told him the case “would be dismissed” without the witness.

“Paradkar violated the trust of his clients and the ethics of his profession by allowing Wedding and his associates to eavesdrop on privileged communications between Paradkar and his other clients, several of whom Wedding wished to murder,” reads a news release published to the website of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which sanctioned Wedding and Paradkar on Wednesday.

Paradkar was arrested at his Thornhill home and produced in a Toronto court on November 19  Toronto Sun reported that “Paradkar is known for his $1,200 Louboutin shoes, his Maseratis, and his finely tailored suits.” It also wrote about his boastful social media posts.
If extradited and convicted, he faces a potential life sentence in the U.S.

Gursewak Bal, described by U.S. authorities as a “would-be gangland news website operator,” allegedly used his now-seized website The Dirty Newz (also known as The Dirty News) to assist the organisation. According to the DOJ indictment and Vancouver Sun journalist Kim Bolan, Bal allegedly accepted about CAD 10,000 to refrain from posting about Wedding and instead published a photograph of the Colombian witness and his wife to help locate them. U.S. authorities allege the site was used to dox targets and incite violence.

Bal was arrested in Mississauga on November 18. He also faces possible life imprisonment if convicted following extradition.

Operation Giant Slalom involved the FBI, U.S. Treasury, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Colombian National Police. The DOJ said the network allegedly moved tonnes of cocaine annually from Colombia through Mexico into North America. Seven Canadians were arrested in the latest phase, while Wedding and three others remain fugitives.

“This week’s arrests underscore our resolve to root out and punish the wrongdoers,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in the DOJ’s announcement.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Extradition hearings for Paradkar, Bal and other Canadian accused are underway.

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