Drug dealer faced up to 12 years in prison

Drug dealer faces up to 12 years in prison
'One-stop shop' drug op brings man's conviction
Drug dealer faces lengthy sentence; tells court it's time to change

- Crown is seeking 12 years.
- Christian Basarowich was convicted of possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking and other firearms offences.
- Crown said, he "showed a willingness to protect his product, there was no other reason to have these guns."
- His lawyer said he is a smart, young and independent contractor who could have a bright future as a legitimate businessman.
- Said he still has time to turn his troubled life around, he has strong support from his family and would like to return to university to complete a business management degree.
- When he had been convicted of his first drug offence in 2007, he had only completed one year of university.
- Basarowich said, "The life I led before my arrest wasn't much of a life at all. It was selfish and reckless."
- He said he had started partying when he was in his first year of university and his troubles just continued from there on.
- He also said, "After entering the drug world, I saw my life fall apart, now it's time for me to be a man, to grow up.. It's time to change."
- He had been in custody for 29 months already since his arrest.
- The defence was seeking a 5 year sentence.

Yes, I agree that this man is an experienced drug dealer and violated his conditional sentence by committing another serious drug offence, but I agree with the defence that 12 years is just too harsh for this man. Being in a federal prison for a lengthy period, will further immerse this man into pro-criminal attitudes, values and behaviours where he may to learn to be a "better criminal" . I think he can be rehabilitated and seems willing to change his life and attend university. I think a sentence between 5 and 7 years would be appropriate and he should also be required to take substance abuse programs in prison.