He may have a future as a heavy-equipment operator, but Brennan Kotowich will first have to do some hard time.

Kotowich, 27, was sentenced in B.C. Supreme Court on Monday to a total of one year plus two six-month sentences to be served concurrently for three counts of trafficking in drugs.

Crown prosecutor Anthony Varesi told the court that RCMP learned of a cellphone number used to purchase illicit drugs. An undercover officer called the number and arranged a late-night rendezvous with Kotowich in the parking lot at Aberdeen Mall.

Kotowich drove up, got into the undercover vehicle and produced small amounts of cocaine and heroine. Uniformed officers sprang into action before any exchange of cash.

After Kotowich was in custody, police obtained a warrant and searched his Mount Dufferin home. That was where they found the most incriminating evidence: pre-packaged cocaine worth about $10,000, digital weigh scales with cocaine residue and packaging, along with $1,500 in cash. He pleaded guilty in March.

Defence lawyer Jeremy Jensen said his client was a hard worker who came from a good family, but he was susceptible to peer pressure in the belief he could make easy money.

“Mr. Kotowich unfortunately found out, sitting in the prisoner’s box, there is a reason why you work less and make more money,” said Jensen said. “He almost looks at this as a blessing that he was arrested.”

After expressing his remorse to the community and particularly his family, Kotowich told the court he hopes to be trained as an equipment operator when he gets out.