HKSAR v. Pramesti Sabrina Wilis Widuri

HCCC 221/2018

[2019] HKCFI 2090

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE

CRIMINAL CASE NO 221 OF 2018

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Transcript of the Audio Recording

of the Sentence in the above Case

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COURT:

The Indonesian defendant, who is now 34 years old, was travelling in a taxi which was stopped by the police in Tsim Sha Tsui. The taxi was searched and under the driver’s seat, immediately in front of the seat which the defendant had been sitting in, was a box which was intended for coffee. However, this was found to contain 1.02 kilogrammes of a powder, the cocaine content of which weighed 846 grammes. All of this happened at a time when the defendant was a Form 8 holder as a torture claimant.

She told the police that she had been asked by someone to carry the parcel to the Shangri-La Hotel. Later, she told the police how she had been asked by an ex-boyfriend to pick up the box. She knew that it contained drugs although she did not know what type or quantity.

The value at the street level of this amount of cocaine was estimated at $908,820.

The defendant has confirmed her plea of guilty in these proceedings which was at the earliest opportunity and also the Summary of Facts.

Now, the 846 grammes of cocaine involved in this case brings this within the guidelines set out in HKSAR v Abdallah Anwar Abbas [2009] 2 HKC 197 for 600 to 1,200 grammes where the recommended sentence is within a band of 20 to 23 years’ imprisonment after trial.

On this basis, I propose to take a starting point of 21 years and 3 months which I shall enhance by 9 months on account of the fact that the defendant was at that time free to remain in Hong Kong whilst a torture claim was being assessed.

Yes. Now, Ms Pramesti, would you stand, please? You have pleaded at the earliest opportunity and for this you will receive full credit. In view of everything I have heard, your sentence is 13 years’ imprisonment.