Pubdate: Sat, 5 Jul 2008 Source: Globe and Mail (Canada) Copyright: 2008 The Globe and Mail Company Contact: http://www.globeandmail.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168 Author: Dakshana Bascaramurty Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Marijuana - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy) 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake