Court and immigration board records show that a British Columbia suspect indicted by U.S. authorities over alleged international organized crime was previously convicted of cross-border drug smuggling in the United States, but was allowed to stay in Canada after his release.
An attempt to deport Gurtej Singh Smagh, who goes by Raj Smagh, from Canada in 2008 because of his crimes was overturned by the Immigration and Refugee Board.
The board’s adjudicator found Smagh had “community support” to stay in Canada because it was in the best interest of his family members and child.
“I note that the appellant does not appear to have family left in India. He testified that his only paternal aunt will be immigrating to Canada shortly. I am satisfied that he would suffer some hardship by reason of his dislocation, given his family ties to Canada,” adjudicator Erwin Nest found….