Mr Duncan Percy, instructed by Ivan Tang & Co, assigned by the Director of Legal Aid
HCCC 348/2013
IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE
HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE
CRIMINAL CASE NO 348 OF 2013
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Transcript of the Audio Recording of the Sentence in the above Case
COURT: I have to sentence you for trafficking in a dangerous drug. I know that you are aware of the guidelines which are based upon the nature of the drug and the quantity of it. The drug in your case was ketamine and you were caught carrying 890 grammes of it.
You were stopped as you got out of a taxi in Tseung Kwan O. You did not tell the police anything further about the matter save for making an admission when you were stopped as to knowing what it was that you were doing. It is admitted on your behalf that you were a courier doing this for other people for reward, which is a scenario I am minded to accept. You have been in trouble before but the only involvement with drugs was for possession. I am told you are addicted to ketamine and I will accept that. I also bear in mind that you are only 21 and that you pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity. You know that you fall in the bracket by the weight of the drug which attracts a starting point of between 12 and 14 years’ imprisonment after trial. Bearing in mind the weight and nature of the drug, your role as courier, I shall take a starting point of 12½ years. I shall give you the one-third discount for the plea of guilty and that results in a sentence of 8 years and 4 months, which is the sentence I pass upon you.
You were stopped as you got out of a taxi in Tseung Kwan O. You did not tell the police anything further about the matter save for making an admission when you were stopped as to knowing what it was that you were doing. It is admitted on your behalf that you were a courier doing this for other people for reward, which is a scenario I am minded to accept.
You have been in trouble before but the only involvement with drugs was for possession. I am told you are addicted to ketamine and I will accept that. I also bear in mind that you are only 21 and that you pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.
You know that you fall in the bracket by the weight of the drug which attracts a starting point of between 12 and 14 years’ imprisonment after trial. Bearing in mind the weight and nature of the drug, your role as courier, I shall take a starting point of 12½ years. I shall give you the one-third discount for the plea of guilty and that results in a sentence of 8 years and 4 months, which is the sentence I pass upon you.