ROUTINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT LEADS TO M.A.'S ARREST

What is it about Victoria police and drug-related investigations
involving provincial ministerial assistants?

Seven months ago, a Victoria police raid on the legislature linked two
ministerial assistants, Dave Basi and Bob Virk, to drug trafficking
and organized crime. Now they've charged ministerial assistant
Marshall Smith with trafficking crystal methamphetamine.

Police arrested the 31-year-old Smith, along with 20-year-old Craig
Powell, as part of routine drug enforcement in the downtown core.
Powell faces a simple drug possession charge.

Victoria police Const. Rick Anthony said two veteran officers pulled
over Smith's car near the corner of Fisgard and Government Street
after he picked up a man known to be a drug user.

On Saturday, Smith publicly proclaimed his innocence, saying that
Powell is a family friend and that the two live together. Smith was on
paid "personal leave" from his job at the time of his arrest.

He initially served as ministerial assistant to former minister of
state for the Community Charter Ted Nebbeling.

When Nebbeling was bounced from cabinet in January, Smith went to work
for Gulzar Cheema, minister of state for Immigration and Multicultural
Services, until Cheema resigned his post to run unsuccessfully for the
Liberals in last week's federal election.

Government sources now say Smith is suspended without pay.