COURT: The defendant has pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, contrary to section 4 of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
In the afternoon on 11 April 2023, police officers armed with a search warrant entered a room in Prudential Hotel, Yau Ma Tei. In the presence of the defendant, police officers conducted a search and found 58.23 grammes of cocaine, 0.09 grammes of heroin, and 6.81 grammes of methamphetamine hydrochloride and various drug paraphernalia such as electronic scales, large number of resealable plastic bags.
Under caution, the defendant admitted that as he was in need of money, he therefore was selling the dangerous drugs in question.
The street value of all the dangerous drugs in question was estimated to be between HK$83,000 to HK$117,000.
The defendant is 42, educated up to Form 3 level. He has six criminal records, one relating to trafficking in a dangerous drug in which he was sentenced to 4 years and 8 months in this court.
Counsel from both sides have kindly agreed that the notional starting point based on quantity alone would be one of 100 months’ imprisonment. Perhaps I should say that the 0.09 grammes of heroin would be ignored for the purpose of the present sentencing exercise.
In this particular case, the defendant however was not acting simply as a courier. He was effectively running a drug repackaging and distribution centre. For that, an additional 1 year will be added. Further, as this is not his first time in trafficking dangerous drugs, an additional 6 months will also be added. The starting point will then be set at 118 months’ imprisonment.
After his arrest, the defendant had given valuable information to the police which led to the arrest of two suspected drug traffickers and a substantial seizure of dangerous drugs. As such, he would be given a total of 45 per cent discount for his plea as well as his assistance to the authorities.
In conclusion, for the sole offence the defendant stands convicted, he is therefore sentenced to 65 months’ imprisonment.