HKSAR v. DIALLO MAMADOU

HCCC262/2011

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE

CRIMINAL CASE NO. 262 OF 2011

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Transcript of the Audio Recording
of the Sentence in the above Case

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COURT: Please stand up. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, contrary to section 4 of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

The defendant arrived at Hong Kong International Airport on one morning of January 2011. He was in transit to Mainland China but intercepted by Customs officers.

Seventy-nine pellets of heroin with a total weight of 490 grammes were found inside his body. The street value was estimated to be around HK$610,000.

The defendant admitted that he acted as a courier for financial gain.

Guidelines in sentencing are clear. Trafficking in 490 grammes of heroin merits a sentence between 15 to 20 years’ imprisonment.

In view of the quantity of the drugs, the number of packets involved, the international element, the amount of profit that the defendant supposed to derive, the appropriate starting point in this case is one of 18 years’ imprisonment.

The defendant will be given the usual one-third discount for his plea. As such for the offence, the defendant pleaded guilty, he is sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment.