CONSTABLES FACING GROW-OP CHARGES FREE ON BAIL

Release Comes a Day After the Arrests of 23 People, Including the Two
Constables and Three Corrections Officers

Two Toronto police constables accused of being major players in a
marijuana grow-operation walked out of court yesterday on $50,000 bail
each while the girlfriend of one officer and her family, who also face
criminal charges, remained in custody.

The parents of Constable Patrick Lee and fellow Toronto police
Constable Kevin Bourne paid bail yesterday morning in a Newmarket court.

York Regional Police officers concluded an extensive investigation
with the arrests of 23 people, including the two constables and three
corrections officers. They raided the houses, businesses and vehicles
of the accused on Thursday morning and seized about $60,000 and 17
pounds of marijuana.

Charges against three of the people arrested have been
dropped.

The suspects are charged with producing marijuana; trafficking
marijuana, ecstasy and steroids; and possessing counterfeit money.
None of the allegations has been tested in court.

Constable Lee, 31, is charged with belonging to a criminal
organization, conspiring to commit a crime, production of marijuana
and breach of trust by a public officer.

Constable Bourne, 33, is charged with importing and exporting drugs,
belonging to a criminal organization and other criminal activities.

Constable Lee's girlfriend, Jessie Nguyen, 29, was arrested at her
parents' Mississauga home at 1101 Sherwood Mills Blvd., the alleged
site of a marijuana grow-operation, along with her parents and
23-year-old sister, said defence lawyer Anthony Tran. He said his
clients will remain in custody until Monday because he and the Crown
were "haggling" over bail values.

Ms. Nguyen is charged with possession, trafficking and producing
marijuana. Her family members are charged with possession for the
purposes of trafficking.

"All of my clients are misguided angels," Mr. Tran said outside of the
court after Ms. Nguyen and her family were taken back into custody. He
said he was certain they would all be granted bail because they have
no criminal history.

"The cops got bail, right? Of course [my clients are] going to," he
said.

Both constables appeared solemn at the hearing.

The bald-headed Constable Lee sported a white muscle shirt and baggy
cargo pants. When his mother stepped forward as his surety, she broke
down in tears.

"Your son understands the sacrifice you are making," Justice of the
Peace Rhonda Shousterman said.

Constable Bourne and his wife, Wendi, 32, who was also arrested
Thursday, were released on bail of $50,000. Ms. Bourne's bail
conditions require her to stay with her sister in Burlington;
Constable Bourne's allow him to stay at his home in Vaughan.

All of the accused who were released were ordered not to communicate
with their co-accused, but Ms. Shousterman granted exceptions for
Constable Lee and Constable Bourne to communicate with their
significant others.

The officers' defence lawyer, Gary Clewley, said one of the constables
was accused of having a grow-operation in his home.

"I think they said Bourne did. In the basement," he
said.

Constable Bourne and Ms. Bourne are charged with drug
possession.

Ms. Shousterman has imposed a publication ban on details of the police
investigation.

Constables Lee and Bourne have been suspended with pay. In a news
conference on Thursday, Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair said that he
had petitioned the province to change the law that grants the men pay
while they await trial.

Mr. Clewley said the police association's collective bargaining
agreement should be honoured.

"I don't see why they should be punished in evidence ... if [Chief
Blair is] going to ask the province to do it, I suggest the province
say no," he said.

Mr. Clewley dismissed suggestions that the charges would damage the
integrity of policing.

"They are two people out of 7,300. I mean, come on, forget about it.
. We'll let the public worry about the faith and confidence they
have in police. They have lots; for good reason. This is a rarity," he
said.