A sentence of 18 years 6 months for possession of 21.74 kg of high-purity methylamphetamine with intent to sell or supply was manifestly excessive where the offender was not at the top of the drug dealing hierarchy, pleaded guilty (receiving a 12% discount), and had no relevant prior convictions; the appropriate sentence was in the range of 16 to 16 years 6 months. A ground alleging manifest excess in an individual sentence must be raised as a separate and distinct ground of appeal and is not subsumed by a totality ground. The severity of imprisonment increases more than proportionately as sentence length increases, and the available sentencing range may compress as one approaches the statutory maximum.
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