The facts are very straightforward and unremarkable.
What happened is this, that at around 4.45 pm on 15 August 2013 you were intercepted in the lobby of the 11th Floor of Wo Ping House, Lei Cheng Uk Estate, Cheung Sha Wan. Police officers had seen you placing an item into a backpack and then proceeding to enter the lift. At this point they intercepted you, searched your backpack and found the dangerous drugs being 400 grammes of powder containing 210 grammes of ketamine.
The dangerous drugs were contained in 30 small plastic bags within a large white plastic bag. You were cautioned and you admitted going to take the ketamine powder as you urgently needed money.
In a later video-recorded interview under caution, you admitted being approached by a man in a park who asked you to take the ketamine to someone for $2,000. You agreed and were told to collect it for the fire hose at the 11th Floor of Wo Ping House and to await further instructions.
Shortly after collecting the dangerous drugs, you were arrested.
The retail street value of the ketamine was $48,000, approximately.
You are a lady of previous good character. You are now, I believe, 23 years of age, educated to Form 5, single and born in Hong Kong. You reside with your parents and younger brother. At the time of the incident you were unemployed.
Mr Chau, on your behalf, submitted mitigation. There is, in fact, very little that can be said on your behalf.
I take into account the four letters that have been presented to me. I note your youth, I note your clear record, and the relatively modest part you played in the scheme of trafficking. I also take into account the fact that you were extremely cooperative from the outset.
The prime mitigation in this case is the fact that you have pleaded guilty. Even though this was not the first available opportunity, I will give you the full one-third discount. Trafficking in dangerous drugs is always a serious matter, one that rightly attracts very high penalties.
Taking into account all the circumstances, especially the amount of dangerous drugs, I take as a starting point 9 years’ imprisonment reduced 6. You will go to prison for 6 years.