Brother of federal cabinet minister Tim Uppal charged in drug sting
The brother of Canada’s multiculturalism minister was one of four men picked up in an Edmonton drug sting last month.
Raymanpreet Singh Uppal, the younger brother of Conservative Edmonton-Sherwood Park MP Tim Uppal, was charged after Edmonton police broke up an alleged “dial-a-dope” operation.
On Nov. 20, police searched three homes and a vehicle in south Edmonton after a tip from the public.
They alleged that the sweep netted drugs that included cocaine and hashish, $12,000 in Canadian currency and two handguns.
Raymanpreet Uppal has been charged with three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, as well as one count each of possessing stolen property and possessing a dangerous weapon.
Tim Uppal declined an interview with CBC News.
In a statement emailed by a member of his staff, the MP said that he learned about the charges against his brother Tuesday.
“I have always spoken out against drugs in our communities,” he wrote. “Anyone found guilty of such offences should face the full force of the law.”
The other three men have been charged with various drug and weapons-related offences.
Police are still investigating.
In early 2014, STAT members commenced a drug-related investigation after receiving information about an alleged “dial-a-dope” operation. During the course of the investigation, officers discovered that this was not a one-person operation, but a group of individuals allegedly involved in the local drug trade. With the assistance of detectives from the EPS Drug and Gang Unit (EDGE), STAT officers were able to identify a number of additional suspects and residences.
On Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014, STAT members executed search warrants on three south-side residences and one vehicle, and seized:
Two handguns and ammunition – a .38 Special Revolver and a .25 Semi-Automatic Pistol (prohibited weapon with serial number removed)
A conductive energy weapon (CEW)
Approximately $12,000 in Canadian currency
370.8 grams of cocaine (approximate street value $26,900)
1,585.2 grams of buff (approximate street value $6,340)
90.2 grams of marijuana (approximate street value $1,350)
16.6 grams of hashish (approximate street value $332)
John Edward Saul, 27; Raymanpreet Singh Uppal, 28; Jared Joseph Perner, 25; and Arman Deep Singh Hanjrah, 21; were each charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine), possession for the purpose of trafficking (marijuana), possession for the purpose of trafficking (hashish), and possession of stolen property over $5000 (proceeds of crime).Saul was also charged with unauthorized possession of prohibited/restricted weapon, possession of an offensive weapon dangerous to public, unauthorized possession of prohibited device or ammunition (x3), careless storage of firearm, weapon, ammunition (x2), and possession knowing serial number alter/deface/remove.
Uppal was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon dangerous to public.
Perner was also charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking (steroids), possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine), possession of stolen property under $5000 (proceeds of crime), possession of an offensive weapon dangerous to public, and obstructing a peace officer.
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