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HCCC 426/2024
[2025] HKCFI 5541
IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE
HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE
CRIMINAL CASE NO 426 OF 2024
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| Before: |
Hon Andrew Chan J |
| Date: |
30 September 2025 at 3.46 pm |
| Present: |
Ms Rosa Lo, SPP of the Department of Justice, for HKSAR |
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Ms Yip Shui-hung Liza, instructed by Tang & Lee, assigned by DLA, for the accused |
| Offence: |
Manufacturing a dangerous drug (製造危險藥物) |
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Transcript of the Audio Recording
of the Sentence in the above Case
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COURT: The defendant has pleaded guilty to one count of manufacturing a dangerous drug, contrary to section 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. He is committed to this court for sentence.
In the evening on 15 December 2022, police officers intercepted the defendant whilst he was walking towards a car in Tai Wai. Police officers used the car key seized from the defendant, opened the car door and conducted a search. They also took the defendant back to his residence at Tai Wai for a house search.
Inside both his car and residence, police officers found a total of 1,615 grammes of cocaine. In addition, police officers also seized various manufacturing paraphernalia such as pots, bowls, sieves, induction cookers, soda powder, dehumidifiers, etc.
Forensic scientists from the government laboratory confirmed that chemicals and paraphernalia found at his residence were items commonly used for converting cocaine hydrochloride into cocaine base.
Under caution, the defendant admitted that he had manufactured dangerous drugs for others in return for HK$2,000. He had used his residence in manufacturing dangerous drugs since June 2022. After manufacturing, he would pack and distribute them to customers.
The defendant is now aged 30, educated up to Form 3 level. Prior to his arrest, he was unemployed. He has a clear criminal record. Starting point for trafficking in 1,615 grammes of cocaine based on quantity alone will be one of 20 years’ imprisonment.
In this case, the defendant is charged for manufacturing. Although he is charged for that offence, his operation was relatively simple and primitive. Essentially he was turning cocaine salt into cocaine base by cooking with sodium bicarbonate.
Apart from that, there was nothing in this case pointing to him occupying a bigger role. He was simply acting as a cook and a delivery man. It was accepted that the defendant was acting in the role of an active storekeeper‑cum‑courier who was involved in mixing the cocaine with soda powder, repackaging and dispatching the final products to his customer as instructed.
Given his role, an extra 2 years will be added to the quantity of cocaine which the defendant trafficked. The defendant will of course be given the usual one-third discount for his earliest plea. In addition to that, an extra 3 months discount will be given to the defendant for his participation in Father Wotherspoon’s campaign against drug trafficking.
As such, for the sole offence the defendant stands convicted, he is therefore sentenced to 14 years and 5 months’ imprisonment.
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