Pot plants found in raid on B.C. gov't aide's property

SHAWNIGAN LAKE, B.C. - Police have dismantled a marijuana grow operation in
a Vancouver Island home owned by David Basi, former assistant to B.C.'s
finance minister.

The drug raid took place over the Christmas holidays at around the same time
as the raid on Basi's office in the British Columbia legislature.

Basi purchased the rural property for $180,000 in March but lives at another
address.

Bob Brown, who lives across the street from the grow-op, said he was advised
by Victoria police to keep quiet about the raid. "They got a bunch of plants
in there. I'm not allowed to talk about it ... because the investigation is
not over."

There was no evidence of forced entry at the abandoned house on Friday.

However, a some wilted but still green marijuana leaves were on a porch.

On Dec. 28, police seized 32 boxes of documents from the offices of Basi and
Robert Virk, who worked as ministerial aides for two provincial cabinet
ministers.

Basi has since been fired from his position as assistant to Finance Minister
Gary Collins. Virk, who worked as an aide to Transportation Minister Judith
Reid is currently suspended with pay.

Police say the raid at the legislature is connected to a 20-month
investigation into illegal drugs, organized crime, police corruption and
commercial crime.

RCMP Sgt. John Ward said he had no knowledge of the drug raid on Basi's
property. "I haven't been advised."

Victoria police refused comment. And Shawnigan Lake RCMP said they were
aware the Victoria police had conducted a raid in their area but were not
given specifics.

When contacted by the Vancouver Province late Thursday, Basi's lawyer Chris
Considine said his client knew nothing about the drug raid.

"The normal practice is for the police to contact the landlord if there's
been a raid," Considine said.

"It's a rental property, but he has not been contacted by the police
whatsoever with respect to a raid on the rental property."

After checking with the RCMP on Friday, Considine confirmed the marijuana
grow-op raid had occurred but again insisted Basi had not been informed.
Considine said Basi was the victim of unscrupulous tenants who have vacated
the property.

"This is a common problem for many owners of rental properties in B.C.," he
said.

In May 1996, for instance, police raided a grow-operation at a Surrey, B.C.,
home belonging to former attorney general Ujjal Dosanjh. The tenant pleaded
guilty and paid a $1,200 fine.

Vera Ferguson, a neighbour who lives near the Basi-owned residence in
Shawnigan Lake, northwest of Victoria, said the house has "been vacant a
couple of years."

Friday, Considine also issued a statement from Basi in response to a news
report that police are investigating whether Basi was involved in a
drug-trafficking ring and a potential breach of trust regarding the sale of
Crown-owned B.C. Rail to Canadian National Railway.

"Mr. David Basi is unable to comment on any specifics of the police
investigation, as the matter is before the courts and is the subject of a
sealing order by the Associate Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of British
Columbia.

"However, Mr. Basi states that he has not done anything wrong and has
co-operated fully with the police investigation. He expects to be completely
exonerated at the conclusion of the process."


Pubdate: Sunday, January 11, 2004
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Contact: letters@thejournal.canwest.com
Website: http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/
Author: Adrienne Tanner, Ian Bailey and Steve Berry