Baltej Singh
relative of Indira Gandhi’s killer arrested in New Zealand for drug smuggling
He is known to be one the primary masterminds and fundraisers for anti-India and
pro-Khalistan demonstrations organised in New Zealand.
New Zealand Police have arrested two men over importing a large quantity of
methamphetamine concealed in beer cans.
A 40-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday 28th March morning and appeared before
Judge Kate Davenport in the Auckland District Court on charges of possessing
methamphetamine for supply and supplying methamphetamine.
Judge Davenport continued the man’s interim name suppression after he received
it on Tuesday night in front of Judge Peter Winter.
The man was bailed, but is unable to contact the first man arrested in
connection with the haul, is on a 24-hour curfew with the exception for work and
has surrendered any passports.
According to Auckland police, methamphetamine was concealed in a retail-ready
looking can called ‘Honey Bear House Beer’ which comes in blue and red 473ml
cans, with a picture of a red bear and a maple leaf on a blue background.
Auckland Police have confirmed they raided an industrial property in Manukau in
the second week of March where they found a “significant” amount of
methamphetamine concealed amongst the beer cans.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said part of the shipment contained liquid
methamphetamine concealed inside cans, with the remainder containing beer.
Police have also arrested a 30-year-old man in relation to a seizure of beer
laced with methamphetamine after it potentially killed a person who “innocently
sat down for a beer after work”.
The man was arrested at Auckland Airport on March 10 and is before the Auckland
District Court, police announced.
Baltej Singh had often been hailed in local Auckland Gurudwaras for being a
relative of Satwant Singh by Khalistan supporters.
As per an Auckland local resident who has know-how about local Khalistan
supporters, Satwant Singh’s brother and his family had relocated to New Zealand
in the 1980s and were running a small grocery shop in Auckland. However, a
sudden increase in their wealth was noticed in recent months.
Baltej Singh’s father became the proprietor of a real estate firm named Ray
White and even bought a house valued at more than NZ$23 million (Rs 100 Crore).
As per local Aucklanders, Baltej Singh is known to be one the primary
masterminds and fundraisers for anti-India and pro-Khalistan demonstrations
organised in New Zealand.
The Australia today understand Baltej is currently in jail and undergoing trial
on charges of drug peddling.
Detective inspector Baldwin said forensic inquiries into the shipment were
ongoing.
Police have told The Australia Today, “So far 328kg of methamphetamine has been
recovered in crystallised form from the industrial address and it would have
caused ‘extensive’ social harm.”
Police began their investigations after the death of a man Aiden Sagala, who
died after he unknowingly drank beer contaminated with methamphetamine and said
he was given a 24-pack of “Honey Beer House Beer” by a colleague.
“It is important to emphasise that our inquiries are still in the early stages,
with further pathology tests and results still pending,” Baldwin said.
A small part of the shipment was given away, with police advising anyone still
in possession of a can to contact police immediately on 10/5 quoting the file
number 230310/6793.
---------------------------------------------------
Meth-spiked beer case: Police
release further details in Aiden Sagala death, arrest made
Police have confirmed today they have made an arrest as a part of the
investigation of a man’s death after he drank meth-laced beer.
Detective inspector Glenn Baldwin said a 30-year-old man was arrested on March
10 at Auckland Airport and charged with supplying methamphetamine. He remains
before the Auckland District Court.
Aiden Sagala, 21, has been identified as the young man who died on March 7 in
Auckland City Hospital after Baldwin said he “innocently sat down for a beer
after work”.
Police said Sagala was not involved in importing or distributing the
contaminated beer “in any way”.
Baldwin also said police executed a search warrant at an industrial property in
Manukau last week.
At least a dozen officers had been seen at the small warehouse on Ryan Place,
Manukau, as part of the investigation with the area cordoned area off.
“Inside this location, we have found a significant quantity of methamphetamine
concealed amongst a large shipment of ‘Honey Bear House Beer’ cans,” Baldwin
said.
“At this point, we have identified that part of the shipment contains liquid
methamphetamine concealed inside cans, with the remainder containing beer.”
Police are still reviewing the seizure, and forensic inquiries into the shipment
are ongoing, Baldwin said.
There is currently no final figure of how much methamphetamine was found,
however, Baldwin said it “would have caused extensive social harm had it gone on
to be sold and distributed within our communities”.
Although a “large quantity was seized” there are still fears that it may still
be circulating in the community.
Police are continuing to advise the public if they are offered or come across
the “Honey Bear House Beer” to not consume it.
Baldwin said they are still under the impression the beer is not sold in New
Zealand.
It follows a public warning about a shipment of Honey Bear House Beer with a
risk the cans could be contaminated with the class A drug.
Meanwhile, police are continuing to make inquiries into the death of Sagala.
“Police have established that Aiden was not involved in any way with the
importation or distribution of methamphetamine or these beer cans,” Baldwin
said.
At Sagala’s funeral last week, his mother and father spoke about how the events
of the past fortnight had left them heartbroken.
“I’m shocked at the person with no love who did this to my child. I’m shocked.
Forgive, but can’t forget,” his mother said.
It is understood Sagala had recently started living in Auckland, where he had
found a job.
She said her son was always willing to help her without question and would
respond to her requests with a smile.
“This is my right-hand man. I don’t accept his death.
“God gave him to us. Even though I didn’t give birth to him, I treated him like
I did.”
His father described his relationship with his son as “very close”, with the
pair discussing everything in life.
The couple spoke lovingly about a cherished child born to another set of parents
in the extended family, but raised here as their own son, who would put his New
Zealand-based parents’ needs first.
