Junior Gafatasi Tulali, 48, was sentenced to life in federal prison after being convicted of distributing fentanyl pills that resulted in a Fairbanks man’s death in October 2020. Chief U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason imposed the sentence, reflecting an enhanced statutory penalty after a jury found Tulali guilty in April.
Tulali had purchased counterfeit Oxycodone pills in Los Angeles for $5 each and attempted to sell them in Fairbanks for $10 each. He shipped 500 pills that contained a mix of fentanyl and acetaminophen, leading to a fatal overdose for a 22-year-old victim, who had recently turned to drugs during his recovery process. Prosecutors revealed that the victim bought the pills for $60 each from a local dealer.
Despite Tulali’s attorney portraying him as a family man unaware of the pills’ true nature, prosecutors emphasized his greed, stating he sought to make extra money by selling dangerous drugs in remote markets. Tulali had previously served nearly two decades in prison for drug smuggling.
Alaska has seen a significant increase in overdose deaths, rising 44.5% last year to 357, primarily due to opioids. Federal officials are focused on disrupting the drug trade in Alaska, with Fairbanks serving as a regional hub for distribution to smaller communities.
The case highlights the dangers of fentanyl and the ongoing federal campaign, One Pill Can Kill, aimed at educating the public about the risks associated with unlabeled fentanyl in street drugs.