When arrested late Tuesday night, Leilehua High School teacher Lee N. Anzai immediately cooperated with authorities, expressed remorse and admitted his involvement in selling crystal methamphetamine to an undercover officer, it was disclosed in court yesterday.

Anzai's attorney, Howard Luke, said the arrest caused a "complete turnabout" for his client who had been leading "two lives." He asked that his client be released to relatives and then placed in a residential drug treatment center.

But U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin Chang wasn't convinced that Anzai would not pose a danger to the community.

Chang ordered that Anzai be held without bail until his trial, which will be set at a later date.

The judge, however, said Luke can later ask for Anzai's release once they gather more evidence to justify his release.

The ruling came before a courtroom packed with about 50 of Anzai's relatives and supporters, including his wife, Sherri Anzai, and their 9-month-old son. Some wept, while others expressed support after the hearing.

"Hang in there, Lee," one said.

Anzai, 29, a special education instructor, is believed to be the first public school teacher here to be charged with selling "ice," a drug that law enforcement officials have been battling for years, but one that has seeped into what authorities believe to be nearly all levels of society.

Anzai was arrested at about 11:55 p.m. Tuesday at the parking lot of Longs Drug Store on Pali Highway after authorities said he sold ice for the fifth time to an undercover officer. He is charged with five sales from Sept. 8 to Tuesday night.

According to prosecutors, he sold a total of 15 ounces of the drug for $44,500 at parking lots away from the school campus.

During the hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Kawahara argued that what was "most disturbing" was a cell phone conversation that indicated Anzai might actually have had some ice while at school.

The prosecutor said Anzai told the officer he was at school, but "ready to go" to deliver the ice for one of the sales.

Kawahara said Anzai acknowledged to federal officials that his ice use dated to when he was in high school.

Although Anzai might have started selling drugs to pay for ice, it later became a "way of life" for him as he used the profits for disposable income, Kawahara said.

"It's his play money," he said.

Anzai was also able to line up five or six suppliers, including one in Las Vegas, Kawahara said.

"This is not just a small-time operation," the prosecutor said.

Luke told the court that his client needs drug treatment. His wife tried to get him to stop using drugs, but didn't prevail, Luke said.

"He just got deeper and deeper into it," he said.

Luke said his client has strong support from his family and friends. The attorney submitted letters of support, including one from his supervisor at the Hawaii Prince Hotel, where Anzai parked cars on weekends.

The attorney said in view of his client's cooperation, his lack of a criminal record and no allegations that he threatened violence or had any weapons, Anzai can be released under conditions, such as electronic monitoring, that would ensure the safety of the community.

Chang said he agrees that with the strong support, Anzai would not flee.

But the magistrate said in view of Anzai's history of drug use and the lack of any space at the drug treatment facility, there are no conditions that could be placed on his release that would ensure the safety of the community.

Kawahara later said the judge made the "appropriate ruling," while Luke said he wasn't completely disappointed because he will be able to ask for his client's release once he obtains more evidence, including a drug assessment for Anzai.

Luke said Anzai's wife and relatives did not want to comment as they and other supporters left the courthouse and Anzai was taken back to the Federal Detention Center near Honolulu International Airport.

"He feels terrible even as we speak," Luke said.

Reach Ken Kobayashi at kkobayashi@honoluluadvertiser.com.