HKSAR v. Wong Pui Hung
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HCCC 386/2024 [2025] HKCFI 4709 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE CRIMINAL CASE NO 386 OF 2024 -----------------
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--------------------------------- Transcript of the Audio Recording
COURT: The defendant has pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of a dangerous drug, contrary to section 4 and section 8 of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance respectively. In the afternoon on 30 January 2023, the defendant was stopped by police officers in Yau Ma Tei. He was holding a car key at the time. Inside the car in question, police officers found a rucksack which contained 43.13 grammes of methamphetamine hydrochloride and various resealable plastic bags. In other parts of the car, police officers also found 14.48 grammes of cocaine and various apparatus indicating the consumption of cocaine therein. In a video-recorded interview, the defendant admitted that he had consumed cocaine inside the car. The street value of the methamphetamine and cocaine was estimated to be over HK$27,000 and HK$16,000 respectively. The defendant is 45 and educated up to secondary school level.Prior to his arrest, he was unemployed. He has 25 criminal convictions with multiple offences. In particular, he has four trafficking in dangerous drugs and eight possession in dangerous drugs records. Starting point for trafficking in 43.13 grammes of methamphetamine hydrochloride based on quantity alone will be 9 years and 3 months’ imprisonment. There is nothing in this case to indicate the defendant’s role beyond a mere courier. However, this is not the defendant’s first trafficking record. As such, an additional 1 year will be added. After a full one-third discount for the defendant’s earliest plea, the sentence is therefore reduced to 82 months’ imprisonment. Insofar as the possession is concerned, likewise, given the quantity of cocaine involved and his past criminal records, the starting point is set at 18 months’ imprisonment. After a full one-third discount, the sentence is reduced to 12 months’ imprisonment. These 12 months will be served consecutively to the 82 months imposed on Count 1. In conclusion, for the two offences the defendant stands convicted, he is sentenced to 94 months’ imprisonment. |