A young man was sentenced to more than four years in federal prison Tuesday for drug trafficking and weapons offences.

Travis Lewis, 22, pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court of B.C. to multiple charges arising from three instances dating back two years.

RCMP found him in possession of significant quantities of cocaine, cannabis, cannabis resin and psilocybin mushrooms in searches of his home and vehicle. However, it was his possession of a .45 calibre handgun while prohibited that earned him the most time behind bars.

On June 3, 2010, RCMP pulled over a vehicle with Lewis at the wheel on Fourth Avenue after noticing someone struggling with a seatbelt. The officer detected the scent of dried cannabis, searched the vehicle and found 23 grams of pot along with bear spray and a Taser. The stun gun had twice the charge of a police Taser.

A month later, in July 2010, Lewis was pulled over by police again. They searched the vehicle after spotting a marijuana cigarette on the seat and found cannabis, cannabis resin plus a cellphone with call messages left that were determined to be drug inquiries.

Six months later, after they received information suggesting Lewis was selling drugs from his Sahali townhouse, RCMP executed a search warrant. The search turned up drugs and cash with a total estimated value of $37,000. As well, they found a large amount of stolen property and a locked safe containing the gun, a weigh scale and documents belonging to Lewis.

“Clearly it was a high-level operation,” said Crown prosecutor Anthony Veresi.

Lewis, showing remorse and speaking in a low voice barely audible in court, admitted to the judge that he had made wrong choices in his life. He said the hardest part for him was the hurt he’d caused his family.

Lewis’ older sister, who took him in a year ago while he was free on bail, said he’d made a complete change during that period. She said her brother hopes to open a flooring business with her husband after his release from prison.

Justice Sandra Hyslop sentenced the man to four years on the gun charge as well as two years for cocaine trafficking, one year for cannabis resin trafficking and two months each for the other weapons, the latter charges to be served concurrently. In total, he was sentenced to 50 months, though he will be eligible for parole.

As well, Lewis is banned for life from possessing a firearm, must provide a DNA sample and pay a $500 fine for driving while suspended.