A man who helped drug dealers by building secret compartments for drug transporting -- but never actually transported the drugs himself -- was recently sentenced to serve more than 20 years in prison. This case is groundbreaking as it is the first time a person has been sentenced for serving drug traffickers, even though he never directly handled any of the drugs that were being distributed.

According to a U.S. attorney, those involved with drug trafficking would hire the 40-year-old to build secret compartments in vehicles. Prosecutors claimed the man had built a 10 kilogram compartment in a Honda Ridgeline and a Toyota Sequoia, as well a 3 kilogram compartment in a Toyota Camry. He also reportedly built a 20 kilogram compartment in a Ford F-150.

These compartments were then used by the drug traffickers to distribute drugs in a number of states, including Missouri. Prosecutors argued that this drug ring operated from 2001 to 2009.

The 40-year-old was convicted by a jury on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, and marijuana, and methamphetamine. He was also convicted on two counts of attempting to intimidate a witness.

In connection to those convictions he was recently sentenced to serve 292 months in federal prison, which is more than 24 years. Under this sentence, he will not be out until he is in his 60s.

Another man who was connected to the case also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute. He was sentenced to 147 months.

Source: KMBC, "Man Sentenced To 24+ Years for Aiding Drug Traffickers," Jan. 6, 2012