RAID LINKED TO ORGANIZED CRIME

Nine People Arrested As Police Focus On Pot-For-Cocaine Ring

A weekend raid on the B.C. legislature stemmed from a 20-month probe into
international drug trafficking, organized crime and police corruption, RCMP
and Victoria police revealed Monday.

One ministerial assistant was fired and another was suspended with pay
after police swept into their offices Sunday afternoon and carted away
boxes of files.

Police arrested nine people in Victoria, Vancouver and Toronto allegedly
involved in an organized crime network that sold B.C. marijuana in the
United States in exchange for cocaine, which in turn was being distributed
in Canada, said RCMP spokesman Sgt. John Ward.

"Organized crime has stretched into every corner of B.C. and onto most city
streets," Ward said. "It is not an exaggeration to say that organized crime
is a cancer eating away at the social and moral fabric of British Columbia.
And it's going to get a lot worse before it gets better."

Ward said police searched the offices of two non-elected officials at the
legislature Sunday based on information directly related to the drug and
organized crime investigation, as well as "unrelated information that was
recently discovered as a byproduct" of the initial probe.

Victoria Police Chief Paul Battershill said the new information relates to
a commercial crime file.

The information turned up a few months ago and the RCMP's commercial crime
unit will take a lead role, he said.

"The initial investigation that was commenced by the Victoria police and
the RCMP related to a drug investigation, an organized crime investigation,
and a police corruption issue," he said.

"And at a some point during the course of the investigation, a commercial
crime investigation arose from those investigations and that's what's led
us here, today."

Of the nine people arrested, three in Victoria were questioned and later
released without charge, Battershill said.

Police officials stressed Monday that the searches at legislature did not
involve any elected officials. No charges have been laid as a result of the
raids on the legislative offices, which belonged to David Basi, ministerial
assistant to Finance Minister Gary Collins, and Robert Virk, ministerial
assistant to Transportation Minister Judith Reid.

While government officials refused comment on any specifics of the case,
Premier Gordon Campbell's office took swift action Monday by firing Basi.

Basi's appointment as assistant to Finance Minister and Liberal house
leader Gary Collins was rescinded Monday through an order-in-council signed
by Rich Coleman, the solicitor general and presiding member of the
executive council.

Virk was suspended with pay, according to government sources.

The order in council firing Basi came through Campbell's chief of staff,
Martyn Brown, and was signed Monday morning by Lieut.-Gov. Iona Campagnolo.

Basi could not be reached for comment Monday. But he issued a statement
through lawyer Chris Considine of Victoria, whom he has retained.

"Mr. Dave (Udhe) Basi stated today that he has done nothing wrong,''
according to the statement. "He was specifically told by the RCMP yesterday
that he was not being arrested or charged at this time. He has co-operated
fully with the police search.

"Mr. Basi looks forward to this matter being resolved quickly so that he
can return to his public service. He is confident that he will be
completely exonerated at the end of the process.''

The statement also said that Basi is "a senior civil servant in the British
Columbia government.'' He is married with two young children and has been
"an active member of this community, serving his church, athletics groups,
youth groups, and the community at large.''

Battershill said police also searched six other locations in the Victoria
area, including a residence, an accounting office, and a consulting firm.

One person was taken into custody and subsequently released without charge,
Battershill said.

Ward said investigators searched the home offices of two individuals living
on the Lower Mainland, and the offices of a private company that does
business in Victoria and Vancouver.

Brian Kieran, president of Pilothouse Public Affairs Group Inc., confirmed
that police searched Pilothouse -- which has offices in Victoria and
Vancouver -- but says he doesn't know what they were looking for.

"All I'm going to say at this point is that we've been made aware of
concerns," says Kieran. "We don't fully understand all of the issues at
this time and are collecting further information."

The paths of Pilothouse lobbyists and political staff in the transportation
and finance ministries would have crossed frequently this year, as
Pilothouse client OmniTRAX was one of the bidders for B.C. Rail assets in
the runup to the privatization of the Crown corporation.

The search warrants are sealed.

Battershill confirmed the case is indirectly related to the recent
suspension of a 13-year Victoria police officer who is under investigation
for obstruction of justice and breach of trust.

Const. Ravinder Singh Dosanjh, 37, was suspended with pay Dec. 15.

Battershill said police began gathering information 20 months ago about
alleged corruption involving Dosanjh, and investigators were specifically
assigned to the file 10 months ago.

"The file was developed for 20 months, the actual, active investigation
probably 10 to 12 months," he said. "So by active, I mean, actively having
investigators assigned. But you do file development for a period of time
and that took place for close to a year."

No charges have been laid against Dosanjh and no details of the specific
allegations against him have been released.

The Attorney General's Ministry announced Monday that a special prosecutor
was appointed Dec. 11 to oversee the investigation into allegations of
criminal misconduct involving non-elected officials at the legislature and
a Victoria police officer. The step is taken when there is significant
potential for real or perceived improper influence in the administration of
justice.

Both Battershill and Ward said investigators have received good
co-operation from Solicitor General Rich Coleman and his ministry.

"The solicitor general and his ministry was extremely supportive of the
investigation and ensured it proceeded properly," Battershill said.

A Supreme Court justice approved the search warrants for the B.C.
legislature, and the Speaker of the house approved entry.

The documents obtained were immediately sealed under the direction of the
Sergeant at Arms and will be reviewed in Supreme Court to protect any
documents that fall under cabinet or solicitor-client privilege.

Police will then have access to the documents related to the investigation,
Battershill said.

"I would think that could take some time. And the same thing would apply to
any computer hard drives that were seized and that kind of thing. They're
all sealed."

Ward said the illegal drug trade by organized crime has reached "critical
mass" in B.C.

"The value of the illegal marijuana trade alone is estimated at over $6
billion a year," he said. "The result is that today we have murders,
beatings, extortion, and gang warfare at a level never before seen in this
province."