FORMER BORDER GUARD GRANTED BAIL

A former border guard accused in the U.S. of allowing 3,000 kilos of
cocaine to be smuggled into B.C. has been granted bail.

Abbotsford resident Jasbir Singh Grewal was arrested last month after
the U.S. sought his extradition in the smuggling conspiracy, involving
as much as $75-million worth of cocaine.

Grewal had a bail hearing in B.C. Supreme Court in August and the
decision by Justice Richard Goepel to release him was posted Tuesday.

Goepel ordered the former Canada Border Services Agency employee to
post a $350,000 surety, surrender his passport and remain in B.C.,
living at his Abbotsford home. He must also abide by a curfew.

The Vancouver Sun revealed last year that Grewal was facing charges in
the U.S. for allegedly misusing his CBSA position to allow motor homes
packed with cocaine to cross at his Aldergrove post.

Goepel said Grewal was allegedly paid $60,000 each for 12 shipments he
allowed across the border.

"During the course of the hearing, counsel advised that each
recreational vehicle carried approximately 200 to 300 kilos of cocaine
valued between $5 million and $7.5 million dollars. In total it is
estimated that 3,000 kilos of cocaine valued at $75 million were
imported into Canada in the course of the conspiracy," he said. "If
Mr. Grewal is extradited and convicted he is facing a mandatory
minimum sentence of 10 years, and a likely sentence in the range of 12
to 15 years."

While the charges are serious, Goepel noted that Canadian authorities
chose not to prosecute Grewal here.

"While there may be a myriad of reasons why Canadian authorities have
chosen not to prosecute Mr. Grewal in Canada, it is difficult to
conclude that his detention is necessary to maintain public confidence
in the administration of justice if his actions have not warranted
criminal charges in Canada," he said.