Cocaine seized at the Coutts border in December 2017. (Canada Border Services Agency)

By David Opinko

Couple in 99 kg cocaine smuggling case at Coutts to be sentenced in January

Dec 3, 2021 | 3:03 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – In a little over a month, an Alberta couple will learn their fate after attempting to bring 84 bricks of cocaine across the Canada-U.S. border.

Back in April, Gurminder Toor was found guilty by a jury of importing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possessing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

His wife, Kirandeep Kaur Toor, was also convicted of importing cocaine for the purpose of trafficking but was also declared guilty of the lesser charge of simple possession.

The couple was delivering produce from Southern California to a retailer in Airdrie.

When returning to Canada, they were stopped by CBSA officers at Coutts on December 2, 2017, and were found to be in possession of cocaine weighing approximately 99.5 kilograms including packaging.

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Depending on how the drugs are packaged and sold, the crown previously told LNN that it could have had a street value between $3.7 million and $5 million. Other estimates have placed it as high as $8-million.

The couple was set to be sentenced on November 26, but two days prior to that, Mrs. Toor’s family physician advised that her patient would be unable to physically attend court. It is typically the court’s preference that people appear in person when they are being sentenced.

READ MORE: Sentencing delayed in drug smuggling case due to doctor’s note

Given that lawyers on both sides referred to the doctor’s note as “cryptic” at the time, Dr. Tania Thapar was cross-examined in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench on Friday.

Dr. Thapar explained that, due to symptoms with Mrs. Toor’s pregnancy, travelling between her home in Edmonton and the courthouse in Lethbridge was not advised.

She was not aware that the note would be presented in court, but instead, was asked to provide a general note advising against travel.

Mrs. Toor has been suffering from nausea, vomiting, severe anxiety, and lower back pain. Medications to alleviate her nausea and vomiting have been unsuccessful so far.

The doctor said car rides longer than one hour could prove to be difficult for Mrs. Toor and not only complicate her health, but also the health of her child.

These symptoms tend to be worse during the first trimester of pregnancy, which should end in January.

Justice Johnna Kubik has instructed the courts to make arrangements with officials at the Edmonton courthouse so Mrs. Toor could go there and attend the sentencing hearing via Webex on January 6, 2022.

Mr. Toor is set to appear in person in Lethbridge.

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