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VERNON - A 24-year-old fentanyl dealer who made $5 for every bag he sold as part of a dial-a-dope scheme will spend two years behind bars.

Judge Jeremy Guild sentenced Tomohiro Doige to two years less a day in prison, followed by 18 months probation, today, May 23, at the Vernon Law Courts.

"If Mr. Doige had not truly turned his life around his sentence would be significantly higher," Judge Guild said.

Crown lawyer Michelle Reinhart had requested a four-year prison sentence, while Defence lawyer Nicholas Jacob argued for an 18-month sentence.

Doige was arrested twice in January 2018 as part of a dial-a-dope scheme. Police found more than 100 bags of fentanyl, cocaine and heroin during the two arrests with a street value of more than $4,000.

The court heard how following the second arrest - where police had searched the basement where Doige lived - he had confessed to being a seller for a dial-a-dope line.

Judge Guild referenced his young age, his guilty plea, and that he had made a minimum amount of money as other factors in the sentence.

The court heard how Doige had abused Oxycodone which had led him to drug debts which were part of his motivation to start selling drugs.

"However, he is also very forthright saying he enjoyed the lifestyle making money," the Judge said. "Drug sellers accepted the risk people would die consuming the drugs they sold, just so they could make a profit. Unfortunately, that is what Mr. Doige did.... He admitted to his probation officer that he should make changes when he was in the drug world and he knew what he was doing was wrong."

Gould pointed out that since his arrest, Doige quit taking drugs, completed a college course and found full-time employment. With more than a dozen friends and family in the courtroom, the judge said Doige had "failed to listen" to those closest to him.

"However, since he was charged with these offences he's stopped using illicit drugs... he accepts full responsibility for his actions... and having a daughter has had a substantial impact on his life," Justice Gould said.

The judge said the 18-month probation order would allow Doige to readjust after being released from prison, and to steer clear from people involved in the criminal justice system once he was released.

"[Your] time in jail will be difficult for you and your family, stay in touch with them and take what courses you can while in custody," the Judge said.

Moments later Doige was handcuffed and escorted to prison.

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