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Mayor's former foster son sentenced to four years in jail for Richmond dial-a-dope operation

The former foster son of Vancouver's mayor was sentenced to four years in prison in Richmond provincial court Wednesday for his role in a dial-a-dope operation two years ago.

The former foster son of Vancouver's mayor was sentenced to four years in prison in Richmond provincial court Wednesday for his role in a dial-a-dope operation two years ago.

Jinagh Navas-Rivas, 22, who lived with Gregor Robertson, his wife Amy and their three children for two years until 2009, pleaded guilty in December to one count of drug trafficking and one count of transferring a firearm.

The four-year sentence was jointly agreed to by Crown and defence in pre-trial submissions to Judge Patrick Chan. Before sentencing, Navas-Rivas apologized for his actions, saying he was "deeply sorry for the mistakes I've made." He also said, in a breaking voice, that on reflection he saw how depressed and sad he was at the time of the offences, and that he hopes to continue school in jail, focusing on mathematics.

"I want to be a better person, through and through. I have a renewed interest in school. I believe some good can come from this."

Chan sentenced Navas-Rivas to six months for the drug charge and three years, six months for the firearm charge, to be served consecutively. He will be eligible for parole after serving one-third of his sentence, or 16 months.

Navas-Rivas was also banned from owning firearms for the rest of his life.

In sentencing, Chan noted Navas-Rivas was a small player in the operation, had no prior criminal record, pleaded guilty at an early opportunity and remained drug-free while complying with strict bail conditions.

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