Toronto police, corrections officers arrested in connection with grow-ops

"Two Toronto police officers and three corrections officers were some of the 23 people arrested Thursday on suspicion of being involved with 'a very elaborate' drug related criminal organization.." 

During a news conference Thursday, Toronto police Chief William Blair said an investigation in February into marijuana grow-ops in neighbouring York Region uncovered evidence that linked a Toronto constable to one of the residences under investigation.

Subsequent investigations led to allegations that a second member of the Toronto Police Service and three corrections officers were also involved in the "criminal enterprise, the primary purpose of which was the production and distribution of marijuana, the distribution of other drugs, and the laundering of the proceeds of their criminal enterprise," Blair said.

Of 23 people arrested Thursday, 20 have been charged, including one young offender.

Kevin Bourne and Patrick Lee, who have served with the Toronto police for nine and eight years respectively, are in custody. They are expected to appear in a Newmarket court on Friday.

"The conduct alleged by these two individual officers, and quite frankly also by those corrections officers that are accused in today's investigation, [means] that trust is challenged and we are very disappointed," Blair said.

In addition to the arrests, investigators seized nearly eight kilograms of marijuana and $60,000 in cash during the raids Thursday, as well as three houses and five vehicles.

Superintendent James Ramer said the enterprise was run by "a very elaborate criminal organization" that was allegedly in operation for about two years and sold ecstasy and steroids as well as marijuana.

"It's certainly disappointing to find out that you have two of your own members involved, but it's work that needs to be done. We have to ensure the public trust and public confidence," 

Officers charged in grow-op raids granted bail

Updated: Fri Jul. 04 2008 

Two Toronto police officers charged in a large-scale drug trafficking operation have each been released from custody on $50,000 bail.

Constables Kevin Bourne and Patrick Lee, who are both in their 30s, are eight- and nine-year veterans of the force.

They were among 20 people charged during a series of pre-dawn raids throughout the Toronto area on Thursday.

The officers, who have been suspended from duty with pay, face various charges including production of a controlled substance, trafficking a controlled substance, obstruction of justice and breach of trust.

A publication ban prevents the media from publishing evidence presented at the hearing.

Three jail guards at the Toronto West Detention Centre and a real estate agent are among those charged in the marijuana grow-op ring, CTV News has learned.

Bourne's wife and Lee's girlfriend are also charged.

During a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair said officers had broken up a sophisticated drug operation that was producing and distributing marijuana and other drugs including ecstasy and steroids, and laundering the proceeds.

Police conducted 63 raids on Thursday morning and seized 17 pounds of marijuana, $60,000 in cash and a large amount of drug-making equipment.

Blair said evidence from earlier marijuana grow-op busts in York region allegedly linked the Toronto officers to a larger criminal network. The chief said the majority of the alleged criminal activity occurred in York.

This is the first time Toronto officers have been linked to a grow-op.

Police have laid 115 charges against the accused, who are appearing in a Newmarket court on Friday. One youth is among those charged in the investigation.

The next court appearance for constables Bourne and Lee has been set for Aug. 13.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Matet Nebres