Thursday, December 11, 2008

 

Jasmohan Singh Bains sentenced to 9 years

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Yesterday, the following comment was received here and the Anonymous sender may have thought I didn't appreciate it. Oh yes, I certainly did appreciate it ...

Anonymous said...

I heard that it came out in court today that Jasmohan Baines received a 9 year sentence after having been found guilty of conspiracy.

December 10, 2008 11:01 PM



but because I had seen no mention of this event in the news, I didn't know whether it was accurate or not, so I set out to verify the sources. Why was this important?

As you may recall, Jasmohan Singh Bains was one of the "persons of interest" arrested as a result of "Project Everywhichway", the raids on the Legislature. Bains was mentioned by Janet Winteringham in the Basi-Virk hearings in BC Supreme Court as follows:



Ms. Winteringham said the defence was simply wrong when it stated that the investigation, code named Project Everywhichway, suddenly veered off course to target Mr. Basi, who was an aide to then-finance-minister Gary Collins, and Mr. Virk, who was an aide to Judith Reid, the transport minister.

In fact, she said, Mr. Basi emerged as an early person of interest in a drug investigation that was triggered when informants told the RCMP that the arrest, in May, 2002, of U.S. drug dealer Cirilo Lopez had created an opening for a new drug boss on Vancouver Island.

"The word on the street was that Jas Bains was going to be the person taking over," Ms. Winteringham said.

Mr. Bains is Mr. Basi's cousin.

That drug investigation identified Ravinder Singh Dosanjh, who was then a Victoria police constable, and Mandeep Singh Sandhu as other persons of interest. Both are related to Mr. Basi.


So it was important to get it right, as to whether or not Jasmohan Bains had been convicted and sentenced to 9 years of imprisonment. It was important to know the charges, too ... as in "conspiracy" to do what? And in the end, I thought it was important to show the reasons in very human terms for the 9-year sentence. After a lot of help this past 24 hours, I can now report as follows:

Regina versus Bains File No. 127870C-3 took pace in B.C. Provincial Court, Victoria, B.C., on June 16 - 17 and 24-28, 2008.

Judgment was rendered on September 4, 2008 by R.A. Higinbotham.

Bains was charged with one count of conspiring to traffic in cocaine "with named and unnamed co-conspirators". The named co-conspirators relavant to the evidence introduced in this trial are Blythe Vernon, Brahm Mikol and John Scallon. [Unnamed co-conspirator(s) could possibly include the secret witness now being shielded by Special Prosecutor. - BC Mary]

The charge against Bains followed an investigation into the activities of the accused and his associates known as "Project Every Which Way". Investigators employed a variety of tactics in pursuing this investigation including the use of surveillance, controlled delivery of money, and judicially authorized wiretaps and searches ...

"In the face of a significant volume of evidence, I am grateful to counsel for the admissions made and the well-focussed closing submissions, which assist the court in isolating the key issues to be decided ...

All other potential issues have been conceded, including the accuracy of the transcripts of intercepted communications, [some portions of this evidence could conceivably be heard in the Basi Virk trial. - BC Mary] all relevant particulars relating to surveillance, continuity of seized exhibits, the nature of the substances seized and analyzed, and the identities of those arrested. The filed admissions do not concede the identities of the parties to the intercepted communications but Mr Bagnall [counsel for the defendant] confirmed during the course of his submission that this was no longer in issue ...

The evidence against Mr Bains is overwhelming and convincing. It leaves me in no doubt that he conspired with those named in the charge to traffic in cocaine and I find him guilty as charged.

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And now The Reasons for Sentence


Case Name:
R. v. Bains


2008 BCPC 261
File No. 127870-C3
Registry: Victoria
British Columbia Provincial Court
Victoria, British Columbia

R.A. Higinbotham Prov. Ct. J.

Heard: September 9, 2008.
Judgment: September 11, 2008.

REASONS FOR SENTENCE

1 R.A. HIGINBOTHAM PROV. CT. J.:-- I convicted Mr. Bains on September 4, 2008 of committing the offence of conspiracy to traffic in cocaine. The offence occurred approximately five years ago. In giving my reasons for judgment, I characterized the role of Mr. Bains in this conspiracy as follows:

* Mr. Bains had sent 12 kilograms of cocaine for distribution, and advised at least one of his co-conspirators that he could probably supply as many as 50 kilograms per week;
* He directed the operations of his co-conspirators in a broad sense, although he left the details of distribution within Toronto to (co-conspirators) Mikol and Scallon;
* The evidence does not reveal the existence of any person to whom Mr. Bains reported, but implies that no such person existed;
* Mr. Bains obtained the cocaine referred to in the charge through a cash purchase. He was not required to pass along any of the money he received;
* Mr. Bains had the power to authorize or approve changes in the price per kilogram for Toronto distribution purposes.

These factors, and the rest of the evidence taken as a whole, persuade me that Mr. Bains was the sine qua non of this conspiracy. He was the initiator, the driving force, and the chief executive officer of the trafficking enterprise, and he answered to no other person.

2 These findings constitute significant aggravating factors. Mr. Bains contributed in an important way to the infliction of untold damage on human lives through his distribution of this harmful drug. When I refer to this drug as harmful, I do not just refer to its impact upon individual users; I also refer to its impact upon society as a whole. Cocaine is not a purely "recreational" drug, as it was once thought to be. For many years now it has been capable of transformation into crack, a cheap and highly addictive form of cocaine that renders the addict incapable of little else but the all-consuming drive to get more. It leads to property and other crimes which affect all of society. The crack addict is unlikely to afford to feed this craving without resort to theft, breaking and entry, or robbery. There is a trickle-down effect resulting from Mr. Bains' conduct that hits the community as a whole.

3 The impact of this type of offence on the community has led appellate courts to conclude that deterrence and denunciation must be the primary considerations for a sentencing judge. That is my starting position.

4 During the course of submissions counsel made an effort to distinguish cases based upon the actual quantities and value of the drugs. In my opinion this type of analysis has limited utility once a certain threshold is reached. As it applies to this case, I consider it an aggravating factor that Bains sent twelve kilograms of cocaine to Toronto. That is a lot of cocaine, and if undetected, this shipment would have provided Mr. Bains with a cash inflow approaching $400,000, tax free. I consider it a further aggravating factor that he stated he was willing and able to provide up to fifty kilograms per week to a buyer located by one of his co-conspirators. Given the amounts referred to, the degree of culpability is very high, and no useful distinctions can be made by comparing this case with others where different, but also very significant quantities of cocaine were trafficked.

5 Crown counsel submitted that the range of sentence for cases like this is between ten and fourteen years imprisonment, while defence counsel argued the range is between five and eight years imprisonment. Both made valid arguments in support of their respective positions. When I examine the cases brought to my attention, I see consistency in the stated approach taken by sentencing judges as regards the principles laid down by the appellate courts, yet there is a greater than expected range in the actual sentences imposed. Perhaps that does nothing more than exemplify the human nature of the sentencing process. No two offenders are identical, and differences can always be found in the circumstances surrounding the commission of the offence. Judges are also human, and the submissions of counsel may strike more or less of a responsive chord with each of them.

6 I am grateful to counsel for the sentencing examples provided to the court. They provide a kind of standard, however broad, against which to measure the proportionality of any contemplated sentence in this case. Having said that, none of the cases fetter my discretion to impose a sentence that I deem fit, having regard to the sentencing factors set out in section 718 of the Criminal Code, and the penalty provisions set out for this offence in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

7 Crown counsel outlined what he considered to be aggravating factors in this case, many of which can be found in my earlier comments and in my earlier decision on conviction. Crown counsel wishes to add that a further aggravating feature is that Mr. Bains was motivated entirely by greed, based entirely upon his personal choice, and not motivated by any circumstance over which he had little or no control. I prefer to think of this as simply denying Mr. Bains a potential mitigating factor.

8 In other cases, there is often evidence of the involvement of weapons, or violence, or threats of violence. There is none of that here to operate as a further aggravating factor, but the absence of evidence of those features is not a true mitigating factor either. I consider it neutral. The unquestionable impact of putting such a quantity of cocaine out on the streets is, in and of itself, the main feature of this case that demands a denunciatory sentence be imposed.

9 Despite the offence committed against the community, and Mr. Bains' key role in its commission, there are mitigating factors that must be taken into account. He is thirty-three years old, and has been facing this judgment day for almost five years, his initial arrest having taken place in December of 2003. He has no prior record of convictions. For four years he has been subject to release conditions and he has been compliant with those conditions.

10 During the period he has been on bail he has taken the opportunity to attend university and obtain a business degree. He has struggled to maintain his marriage and be a good father to his son, who will soon be turning six years old. I am particularly impressed by the recent letter written by his mother-in-law Sharon Ridley as to the changes she has seen in Mr. Bains, and particularly with her comments as to the quality of his parenting and his obvious love for his wife and son.

11 It should be noted that Mr. Bains also had a wife and one year old son when these offences were committed, and it most certainly cannot be said that he was then a good husband and father. What good husband and father would place his family at such risk by carrying on the business of a high level drug dealer?

12 I accept without equivocation that Ms. Ridley shares my view of her son-in-saw Mr. Bains as he was in 2003, and she has changed her view of him as he is now. I unequivocally accept her opinion that he has matured into a devoted family man with legitimate aspirations for the future. Her opinion is also supported by his good conduct on bail and his successful educational efforts.

13 Based upon the foregoing, and the presence of a strong and supportive extended family, I am of the opinion that Mr. Bains presents himself as having strong prospects for rehabilitation. His ability to reform is further enhanced by his intelligence and his entrepreneurial skills. While there is still a risk that these latter attributes, combined with his having had a taste of wealth, could plunge him back into the drug business, I think it unlikely, particularly given the impact of the sentence to be imposed.

14 In order to achieve a balance to the various aggravating and mitigating factors that apply here, I start with the premise that the circumstances of the crime itself, including the amount of drugs and Mr. Bains' lead role in its distribution, require not only a sentence that will convince him to never get involved again, but also a sentence that adequately reflects the community's abhorrence at his cavalier wreaking of misery upon the less fortunate members of our society.

15 From that starting point, I take into account the mitigating factors referred to above. They serve to reduce the sentence I would otherwise impose. In considering the case as a whole, I then look to other sentencing decisions with an eye to ensuring that the test of proportionality has been met. In particular, I compare the aggravating and mitigating factors in Mr. Bains' case to those that appear to have been taken into account in the sentencing of his co-conspirators. It has nothing to do with whether I concur with those decisions. The fact of the matter is that the sentence imposed on Mr. Bains must have an understandable relationship to the sentences imposed upon those who worked directly under him within the same conspiracy.

16 Finally, as a sentencing judge I must step back and consider whether a proposed sentence will have a crushing effect on the prospects for Mr. Bains' reform and rehabilitation.

17 The approach I have outlined above leads me to conclude that the sentence I am about to impose is the least possible that adequately reflects the sentencing principles of deterrence and denunciation. I have also come to the opinion that to impose a greater punishment would go beyond those principles and might crush any future prospects for rehabilitation. I sentence Mr. Bains to serve a sentence of nine years imprisonment.

18 I have been asked by defence counsel to make a recommendation to the corrections department that Mr. Bains serve his sentence at the William Head institution. While I am convinced that Mr. Bains' rehabilitation will be far better served with frequent and generous family contact, it is not my practice to make such recommendations, primarily because there are many other factors that corrections officials consider in order to classify inmates to which I am not privy. I am certain, however, that one amongst their considerations will be the findings I have made at this hearing.

19 The Crown further asks for an order of forfeiture of the sum of $12,718.11. These funds were seized from Mr. Bains' person and from his residence on the date of his arrest. I order that those funds are forfeited to the Crown under the provisions of Part 12 of the Criminal Code.

20 In addition, the Crown seeks a fine in lieu of forfeiture of funds received by Mr. Bains during the course of the investigation. The value of these funds is known to be $242,170.00, and due diligence has not discovered the location of those funds. It is not contested that these funds were proceeds of crime. I have little discretion in this matter, and this case does not fall within that narrow discretion. Further, the ability of the offender to pay is irrelevant. I must also impose default imprisonment of between two and three years, given the amount of the fine. My only real discretion is in determining the amount of time Mr. Bains will be given to pay the fine. I therefore order that Mr. Bains pay a fine in the amount of $242,170.00 in lieu of restitution pursuant to the provisions of Part 12 of the Criminal Code. He will have two years in which to pay the fine. In default of payment, Mr. Bains will serve three years imprisonment, consecutive to the term of imprisonment to which I have earlier sentenced him.

21 Finally, I impose a ten year firearms prohibition pursuant to section 109 of the Code.


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Comments:
Thanks Mary. I don't see any reference to basi in the judges decision on bains. i'm still waiting for the massive organized crime drug conspiracy involving basi and virk in the legislature.

what i really want is to know more about the bc rail aspect. Another question, why was the part about bains kept silent until now? Maybe you could ask anonymous why this is so.
 
Great research! Who do we thank for such great work?

Where is the MSM in reporting on this?
 
mary,

i urge you to ensure that if any msm reports on this story that they offer you credit on your hard work. don't be modest, you are truly putting the msm to shame with this type of old fashioned digging. how did you do it, for us mere mortals to try and understand the depths of your hard work? did you get a tip from someone on the inside?

it is about journalistic integrity with a msm that forgets what that means
 
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C'mon, 6:03:

Basi wasn't on trial, Bains was on trial. Didn't you read the reasons for judgment? And the reasons for sentence? And the continuing story of the Legislature Raids?

Type in Bains in the search box (top left) and see the many explanations of where he fits in.

Yes, for cryin' out loud, wouldn't we ALL like to know more about the BC Rail aspect.

Ditto for why the Bains trial was never mentioned in the press.

Sheesh, I kinda thought you'd be pleased that a Citizen Detective had picked up on news of the trial and that BC Mary had tracked it down. Nobody else did that for you, did they? Harrumph.

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Aw, gee, 6:49 ... I wish I had seen your lovely remark before I started yelling at poor 6:49.

Thank you! It was my pleasure to fill in yet another one of those blank spaces in the great crossword puzzle that is Basi Virk / BC Rail.

Say it again, would you? [blush]

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So who tipped you off on this scoop Mary??
 
"......He is 33 years old, and has been facing this judgment day for five years, his initial arrest having taken place in December of 2003. He has no prior record of convictions.........during the period he has been on bail he has taken the opportunity to attend university and obtain a business degree........"

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2006 Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management
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And so too did 166 other individuals take the two year course at Royal Roads, but just how many of them had to make that decision knowing that having a university education would be a great reference when it came time to impress the sentencing judge at his trial's completion?

NONE!

When the dust finally settles on the Basi/Virk/Basi trial will the trio to be able to show the Court that during their duration of waiting that they too spent two years, or more, at university to prove that they learned their lesson well.
 
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Anon 9:08,

Ya mean who exactly is the astute Anon-y-mouse who overheard the reference in the Basi-Virk courtroom and then sent that comment in to The Legislature Raids?

Yep. That's who.

And many thanks indeed to that person.

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Yes - it was mentioned in the material filed by the lawyers for basi and virk.
 
"1 R.A. HIGINBOTHAM PROV. CT. J.:-- I convicted Mr. Bains on September 4, 2008 of committing the offence of conspiracy to traffic in cocaine. The offence occurred approximately five years ago."

I find it interesting that this man was charged, tried, convicted and sentenced, in under five years while , I alledge the governments in this country have delayed the Legislature Raids Case #23299 for five years now and it has yet to go to trial. What's wrong with this picture?
 
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Right on, Gary.

And how about Saddam Hussein. Remember him? He was arrested AFTER Basi, Virk, Basi and his trial and sentence have been carried out long ago. Could the case against the Iraqi leader be an easier trial than Basi Virk?

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What disturbs me is that the sentence against Bains was passed on September 11th and we don't find out about it until December 11th. Why were all the reporters, including Bill T., totally asleep at the wheel on this?
 
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Anonymous 8:27,

Too right.

And it shows how important Citizen Journalists are!

I've lost count of the times when a citizen's tip broke open a whole chapter of this Basi Virk story.

Usually it's just one line ... from somebody who walked in off Smythe Street, and took a seat in the public gallery of the Basi Virk courtroom.

But what a difference their close-up view has made.

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So, we now have the 'Reasons for Sentence'...information that, for whatever mysterious reason, has been in the 'public realm' for some time but NOT in the public sphere until now.

How can it be that the first installment of this story, which was covered by Neal Hall in a quite extensive article in the Vancouver Sun on April 6, 2007 has not now been followed up with an equally extensive piece by the same author concerning the conviction of the ringleader of the little band of drug dealers?


I can provide the whole of Hall's piece about act I, unfortunately, the link to the story is useless.

Another product of the 'improvements' wrought at the Sun I guess.

Let me know Mary, if you haven't got the story yourself, if you'd like me to post it....
 
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Good question, G. Neal Hall would surely not have forgotten the trial, the verdict, or the sentence.

I do have his April '07 story but I always like it when YOU post things ... and many thanks!

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Perhaps what we need to do is be handed (by BC Mary) a responsiblitiy to look after the latest cases before a specific Court.

Who has got the time to keep a list of all of the Courtroom procedures that are going on in the Province of British Columbia?
 
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Good one, 7:57!

No kidding, even if we kept track of only one Court House -- checking their web-site every morning, letting others know -- people would stand a chance of being able to attend.

What I really, really wish is that more citizens could attend these courtroom sessions. We've seen how important it can be, when a citizen picks up on even one single significant point and tells us about it.

We have this unique reporting system ... all set to go. And no kidding, the world has never seen anything like it before.

So it's doubly appalling that British Columbians find themselves unaware of 90% of what's going on in the BCRail Case, and left completely in the dark for 6 months about the Jasmohan Bains trial.

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7:57's is a good idea.

Divvying the documents up amongst Citizen Diggers is what they do at Josh Marshall's Talking Points Memo when they are deluged with dumps designed to obfuscate....

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http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=aa574bf7-efc6-43a8-9f69-0ed9a143ff5d

That should get you to it - anyone who is interested...but don't bother chasing it up from the Sun's useless search facility - those links are all dead.
 
Bains will be on the street in 18 months that leaves him six months to pay his fine and I guess its back to jail for a few months.
 
I grew up with Jas Bains. He had a propensity for making poor decisions, but was always a good guy. It appears that his need to be the big man finally won out. That's a real shame.
 
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Anon 12:38,

What a kind thing that was, for you to speak up that way.

Let's hope that the good-part stays strong and that Jas can find a better path for himself and his family.

I worry a lot about young people making poor decisions in the current economic crisis. If they had decent employment (not airy-fairy schemes), it'd be different for them.

But I think we really have to figure out what to do to make the economy more realistic. To create satisfying work. And to re-build our society.

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