Summary of Facts reveals the following: On 19 April 2019, customs officers intercepted a parcel from Belgium to Hong Kong at the Hong Kong International Airport. The parcel was found to contain three cans of baby milk powder. Inside them, 1,869 grammes of ketamine was located.
A controlled delivery operation was arranged. Eventually, the parcel was delivered to an apartment at Room 909, Fu Yue House, Fu Keung Court, Lok Fu, Kowloon on 8 May 2019. The parcel was addressed to a friend of the defendant. The defendant later arrived at the apartment with the intention of collecting the parcel and was arrested by customs officers. Under caution, the defendant told customs officer that he was offered HK$10,000 to receive the parcel and he subcontracted that to his friend for $1,000.
The street value was estimated to be over HK$1.6 million.
The defendant admitted that he was unlawfully trafficking in those dangerous drugs.
The defendant is now 32 and has a clear record. He worked as a logistic worker prior to his arrest. Letters of mitigation have been submitted to this court. I read them and I understand their request but, unfortunately, I cannot accede to their request. The offence committed by the defendant is a serious one.
Guidelines on sentencings are clear. Sentence for trafficking in excess of 1,000 grammes of ketamine is one of 14 years’ imprisonment upward. The quantity in this case is 1,869 grammes. The starting point according to HKSAR v Sin Chung Kin, CACC 458/2011 will be slightly short of 18 years’ imprisonment. In my view, a starting point of 17 years is appropriate.
There is, however, an international element in this case. The ketamine in question travelled across continents from Europe to Asia. As such, an additional 1½ years will be added. In conclusion, the overall starting point is set at 18½ years.
The defendant tendered his plea at the earliest opportunity. He is therefore entitled to the one-third discount for his plea. For the offence the defendant stands convicted, he is therefore sentenced to 12 years and 4 months’ imprisonment.