COURT: The defendant has pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, contrary to section 4 of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, and is committed to this court for sentence.
On 16 October 2020, the defendant was intercepted by police officers outside Kwai Chung Building, Shek Pui Street, Kwai Chung after alighting from a private vehicle. Inside the private vehicle, police officers found slightly more than 217 grammes of ketamine. The street value was estimated to be around $145,000 at the time. The private vehicle was targeted by police officers much earlier. The defendant admitted that he was at the time trafficking in those dangerous drugs in question.
The defendant is 49, unemployed. He has three criminal records, none related to drug.
A letter of mitigation prepared by the defendant’s siblings has been produced. I have read the mitigating letter. Naturally, they plead for leniency on behalf of the defendant. I understand the family’s wish but personal circumstances pale into insignificance in case where serious offence is involved.
Guidelines on sentencing as set by the Court of Appeal are clear. The starting point for trafficking in 217 grammes of ketamine is one of 8 years’ imprisonment.
The defendant pleaded at his earliest opportunity and thus is entitled to the full one-third discount. For the offence the defendant stands convicted, he is therefore sentenced to 64 months’ imprisonment, ie 5 years and 4 months’ imprisonment.