A Durham police officer facing penitentiary time after being convicted of cocaine trafficking stood in court Wednesday and delivered an apology to his family, the community and his fellow officers.

“I have tarnished the badge,” a subdued Husen Aswat said as his sentencing hearing drew to a close.

“I took an oath, and I broke that oath,” Aswat, 33, said. “I’ve seen mistrust in the police, and I know a situation like this doesn’t help. I know I’m not the first person to do it, but every time it happens it makes it that much worse. I’m sorry.”

The Crown is seeking a four-year prison term for Aswat, who had nine years of service as a Durham police officer when he was swept up in an undercover police operation that focused on suspected cocaine-dealing from the Black Bear pub in Ajax in September 2017. Aswat pleaded guilty in late May of 2019 to two counts of trafficking cocaine.

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The four-year prison term proposed by federal prosecutor Brendan Gluckman would be the same sentence given Aswat’s co-accused, Shaun Carter, a civilian who pleaded guilty earlier this year.

Two other men caught up in the investigation, Black Bear owner Rajalingam Varatharajan and Kevin Chung, are scheduled to go to trial early next year.

Also caught up in the investigation was another Durham officer, Amandeep Thakur — a close friend of Aswat — who was charged with theft under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime and two counts of breach of trust. He awaits trial.

Court heard that, in 2017, an unwitting Varatharajan introduced two female undercover police officers posing as cocaine dealers to Aswat, who was soon partying with the women and offering to assist them in their drug deals.

One night, while partying, Aswat let the women handle his unloaded service pistol and playfully handcuffed one of them, according to the facts read into the record by Gluckman. He also used a police data system to check up on a man the undercover police identified as a potential drug buyer, and accompanied them as they conducted drug deals, court heard.

On one occasion, Aswat, who was on duty, waited nearby in his cruiser as a staged drug deal occurred in Oshawa, Gluckman said. As he kept watch, Aswat heard a report of a robbery nearby over his police radio but did not respond to the call, Gluckman said.

On another occasion, Aswat drove the women to Bradford for the staged sale of nine ounces of cocaine, instructing them on how to conduct themselves as part of a tutorial he dubbed “Drug Dealing 101,” according to the facts.

Aswat was also watching from his police car as another staged drug deal for a significant amount of cocaine took place at the Black Bear in Ajax, court heard.

Defence lawyer Sherif Foda — who recommended a prison term of two years, in addition to a six months for time Aswat spent in custody and on strict house arrest following his arrest — said Aswat’s behaviour occurred during a time he was deeply depressed over the breakdown of his marriage and was drinking heavily.

He continued his drinking during his dealing with the undercover police officers, Foda said.

“Liquor was almost always involved,” Foda said. “There is no doubt alcohol featured prominently both in Mr. Aswat’s life and during the course of this investigation.”

Foda said Aswat had embarked on a promising policing career, during which he received positive performance reviews, before becoming embroiled in the drug-trafficking scheme.

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“There is no question he has insight into his behaviour. There is no doubt he is remorseful,” said Foda.

Aswat knows his career as a police officer is over as a result of his conviction, Foda noted. He said Aswat has been sober since his arrest. Aswat has been paid while suspended from duty since his arrest.

Superior Court Judge Laura Bird is scheduled to hand down her sentence Sept. 6.