COURT: The defendant has pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug in the Magistrates’ Court. He is committed to this court for sentence.
In the afternoon on 11 June 2022, the defendant was intercepted by police officers in Yau Ma Tei. Upon a body search, 54.7 grammes of ‘Ice’, ie methamphetamine, placed inside two plastic bags was found.
The street value was estimated to be just over HK$31,000.
The defendant is now 32, educated up to Form 3 level. Prior to his arrest, he worked as a masseur making $40,000 a month. The defendant also has two criminal records involving five charges, all related to dangerous drugs and part I poisons.
Guideline for trafficking in 54.7 grammes of methamphetamine is clear. Given the defendant’s past criminal record, a notional starting point of 10 years would be adopted. In the absence of any evidence pointing to otherwise, the defendant will be treated as a simple courier in the present case.
The defendant is entitled to the full one-third discount for his earliest plea. As such, for the sole offence the defendant stands convicted, he is sentenced to 80 months’ imprisonment.