OTTAWA/TORONTO: In a major crackdown on foreign-led organized crime, the Canadian government has officially deported two high-profile gangsters of Punjabi origin, Arshdeep Singh and Sukhnaz Singh Sandhu, to India. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced that the duo was involved in sophisticated extortion rackets and criminal activities that posed a significant threat to public safety. The move follows a directive from the CBSA stating that foreign nationals involved in criminal enterprises will no longer be permitted to remain on Canadian soil.
According to a press release issued on March 18, the CBSA has compiled a strategic list of foreign nationals linked to organized crime and has initiated legal proceedings to facilitate their removal. To date, the agency has deported 35 such individuals, launched 372 immigration investigations, and issued deportation orders for another 70 people.
The specific details of the deported individuals are as follows:
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Arshdeep Singh: Arrived in Canada in 2022 on a study permit. Investigations revealed he quickly abandoned his studies to join local criminal gangs. He was arrested in November 2025 for his role in a network involving extortion, armed robbery, drug trafficking, and the distribution of illegal firearms.
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Sukhnaz Singh Sandhu: A resident of Canada since 2016 under a temporary resident status. Following his arrest in November 2025, he was convicted under the Organized Crime Act for his deep-rooted involvement in gang-related activities.
Canadian authorities emphasized that these deportations serve as a stern warning to those attempting to use the country as a base for criminal operations. “Canada’s soil is not a sanctuary for organized crime,” an official statement noted. This development is also seen as a significant win for Indian law enforcement agencies, which have been tracking these individuals for their role in orchestrating extortion and violence in Punjab from abroad.
