On 24 September 2020, the defendant was intercepted by police officers whilst entering the Largos Hotel in Kowloon. Upon a search of a bag carried by the defendant at the time, police officers found 485 grammes of methamphetamine hydrochloride, subject matter of Charge 1.
A further search of a room in the hotel, the police found 71 grammes of methamphetamine, a mixture containing 11.8 grammes of monoacetylmorphine and 3.45 grammes of heroin and 561 grammes of heroin, the subject matter of Charge 2.
The street value is estimated to be around HK$1.3 million.
The defendant is 28, educated up to Primary 6 level. Prior to his arrest, he alleged to be a lifeguard and well, he was a lifeguard but unemployed at the time. He has one criminal record but not relating to drugs.
Starting point for trafficking in 485 grammes of methamphetamine is one of 216 months of imprisonment. Starting point for trafficking in all those dangerous drugs as mentioned in Charge 2 is one of 242 months’ imprisonment.
Given the total quantity of the dangerous drugs mentioned in both Charge 1 and Charge 2, and adopting the outcome of the ratio test, the total sentence would be one of 270 months.
In view of the above, it is ordered that 28 months of Charge 1 will run consecutively to the 242 months imposed on Charge 2, thus making an overall starting point of 270 months’ imprisonment.
The defendant will be given the full one-third discount for his plea. In conclusion for the two offences the defendant stands convicted, he is sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment, ie, 15 years’ imprisonment.