HKSAR v. UNAMBA JOVITA CHINAEDU

HCCC 427/2025

[2026] HKCFI 4281

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE

CRIMINAL CASE NO 427 OF 2025

________________________

________________________

______________________________________

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

______________________________________

COURT: The defendant has pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, contrary to section 4 of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. He is committed to this court for sentence.

On 29 November 2024, the defendant was intercepted by Customs officers at the arrival hall of the Hong Kong International Airport for custom clearance. Suspecting that dangerous drugs might have been concealed inside his body, the defendant was sent to hospital for further examination. 38 packets of drugs, dangerous drugs, were excreted during his hospital stay. They were found to contain a total of 477 grammes of cocaine.

The street value of the cocaine was estimated to be over HK$480,000.

The defendant is now aged 56, a Nigerian national. He has no criminal record in Hong Kong.

The notional starting point for trafficking in 477 grammes of cocaine is one of 15 years and 8 months. There is the international element in the present case. As such, the starting point is enhanced to one of 16 years’ imprisonment. The only mitigating factor is the defendant’s earliest plea, a full one-third discount is given.

As such, for the offence the defendant stands convicted, he is sentenced to 10 years and 8 months’ imprisonment.

	I/we certify that to the best of my/our ability and skill, the foregoing is a true transcript of the audio recording of the above proceedings
	Jeremiah Barcena Castro
	Date: 9 July 2026