Evidence linking long history of "grow ops" and organized crime to government workers and Attorney General's office, going back to 1996.
SHAWNIGAN LAKE Report -- Police dismantled a huge
marijuana grow operation in a Shawnigan Lake home owned by David Basi, the
former assistant to Finance Minister Gary Collins and the man at the centre of
B.C.'s latest political scandal.
The
drug raid, in the 3200 block of Shawnigan Lake Rd., happened during Christmas
holidays. It was at the same time police raided Basi's office in the legislature
as part of a 20-month investigation into organized crime, commercial crime and
drugs which now reaches to the BC Legislature.
Basi, who was fired after the raid on his office, purchased the rural Shawnigan
Lake property for over $180,000 cash sometime in March, and lives at another
property.
Bob Brown, who lives across the street from the massive grow-op, said he was "advised
by police from Victoria [though the area is
covered by RCMP]" to "keep quiet about the
raid" on the grow-op. "They got a bunch of plants in there. I'm not
allowed to talk about it", said Brown, who appeared shaken by the tone of the
threat.
Victoria
Police were recently "forced" to let one of their esteemed constables go after
revelations of his ties to one of the biggest dealers in the area. Those
revelations came to light around the same time the Victoria Police were taking
van loads of material from the BC Legislature.
There was no evidence of forced entry at the abandoned
yellow house, when police entered the residence, and witnesses saw still green
marijuana leaves lying on the porch.
On Dec. 28, police seized 32 large boxes of documents from the offices of Basi
and Robert Virk, who worked as an aide to Transportation Minister Judith Reid.
Virk has been suspended with pay.
Shawnigan Lake RCMP said they were aware the Victoria police had conducted a
raid in their area but were not given specifics. Nor were they told why the
Victoria Police were operating well outside their usual jurisdiction.
Victoria police were contacted by reporters, but refused to comment.
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It is worth noting that in May 1996, police
raided a grow-operation at a Surrey home belonging to then attorney-general
Ujjal Dosanjh.
Dosanjh's tenant pleaded guilty and paid a $1,200 fine.
Reported by Robert Polton..
Veteran Victoria Police
Officer found to have various properties and links to known drug trafficker.