RAID SURPRISES LOCAL MLAS

Last weekend's police raid on the offices of staffers in two provincial
ministries has sent a shockwave through local Liberals.

On Sunday, Dec. 28, RCMP and Victoria police officers showed up at the B.C.
legislature with a warrant to search the offices of Dave Basi, ministerial
assistant to Finance Minister Gary Collins and that of Bob Virk, who works
for Transportation Minister Judith Reid.

Several private homes were also searched, including those of Mark Marissen,
husband of deputy premier Christy Clark, and her brother, Bruce Clark.

Police have released few details but say the searches were provoked by
information uncovered during a 20-month investigation into drug smuggling,
money laundering and organized crime.

Police also said the probe does not involve wrongdoing on the part of any
elected officials.

Basi, an influential organizer for both the provincial and federal
Liberals, was fired Monday and Virk was suspended with pay. No charges have
been laid against any of those whose property has been searched.

"I don't know what to say except I'm shocked and surprised," said
deregulation minister Kevin Falcon, Liberal MLA for Cloverdale.

"I just think it's unfortunate, bearing in mind that everyone is innocent
until proven guilty, that we've got two staff people who, for whatever
reason, have been placed under a cloud in this investigation."

Falcon said he knows Basi and described him as a "good worker" and said
he'd never had a problem with the high-profile aide.

Falcon also said he supports the investigation, overseen by Solicitor
General Rich Coleman, and understands the police don't want to jeopardize
their probe by giving away too much information, too soon.

"We have to root out anyone, at any level, involved in anything illegal or
that violates the Criminal Code," he added.

Basi and Bruce Clark have close ties to the federal Liberals. Basi played a
key role in organizing support for Paul Martin's leadership bid here in
B.C. and Clark is the federal party's chief fundraiser in this province.

Surrey Coun. Judy Higginbotham returned Wednesday from a Christmas vacation
in California and said she was trying to catch up on the situation.
Higginbotham is running for the party's nomination in South Surrey-White Rock.

"I'm just reading the papers trying to find answers. I don't know the man
(Basi) and to my knowledge, this hasn't got anything to do with our
riding," she said.