FORMER TELUS EXECUTIVE SENT TO JAIL FOR DRUG CONSPIRACY

A Canadian marketing executive who was partially responsible for
Telus's "cute animals" campaign has been sentenced to eight months in
prison by a Seattle court for conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Former Telus marketing director Chris Neary had struck a plea bargain
with U.S. authorities in July by admitting to crossing the border with
a backpack full of marijuana.

At this week's hearing, Neary, 34, was also sentenced to two years
probation, which can be served in Canada.

Neary, who helped to create the popular Telus TV ads featuring
piglets, monkeys and a menagerie of other creatures, admitted
conspiring to distribute just under 50 kilograms of marijuana in
Washington state when he snowshoed across the border into Snoqualmie
National Forest on April 26.

The court previously heard that tracks had led authorities to where
Neary and Daryl Fontana, another B.C. businessman, were "hiding in the
woods." Both told U.S. agents they were to be paid $10,000 each for
their efforts. Three other men from Vancouver -- Carl Theissen, Sinisa
Gavric and Richard Bafaro -- were also arrested in connection with the
scheme.

Because he co-operated with authorities, Neary received a lighter
sentence for what prosecutors called a "minor role" in the
drug-smuggling operation.

Although the count carries a maximum sentence of five years, the
government asked the court for a one-year sentence. The defence had
sought a six-month sentence.

Under his supervised release conditions, Neary would be subjected to
drug testing as frequently as once a month, said Emily Langlie,
spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office.

He was released on condition that he reports to prison, and will wait
up to two months before being told to which federal institution he is
to be sent.

Fontana, Theissen, Gavric and Bafaro also pleaded guilty to related
charges.