Man gets mandatory life sentence in Hawaii for dealing meth

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HONOLULU — A federal judge in Hawaii has sentenced a 44-year-old to life in prison for dealing crystal methamphetamine.

HONOLULU — A federal judge in Hawaii has sentenced a 44-year-old to life in prison for dealing crystal methamphetamine.

Prosecutors said Tuesday Alan Mapuatuli won’t be eligible for parole. Prosecutors say he received a mandatory life sentence because he had two prior felony drug trafficking-related convictions in California.

Mapuatuli was convicted as the result of undercover deal for a pound of meth. The transaction involved an informant.

Agents found a leather bag containing the pound of meth when they stopped him as he drove away afterward. Agents also found a backpack with another six ounces of meth, nearly $16,000 in cash and a loaded .45 caliber pistol in his vehicle.

A jury in U.S. District Court in Honolulu found Mapuatuli guilty in January after a nine-day trial and less than a day of deliberations.