HKSAR v. Wong Chun Hung

Read the full judgment text of DCCC 1576/2024 on BabelCite. This District Court judgment was delivered on 21 May 2026.

1. The Defendant pleaded guilty to a charge of trafficking dangerous drug, namely 42.5 grammes of a mixture containing 34.45 grammes of heroin hydrochloride (a salt of heroin) and 3.77 grammes of acetylcodeine (an ester of codeine).

Cites 4 cases

Case No.DCCC 1576/2024[2026] HKDC 952
Court
District Court
Date21 May 2026
Judge
Case Document
100%Judiciary

DCCC 1576/2024

[2026] HKDC 952

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

CRIMINAL CASE NO 1576 OF 2024

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  HKSAR  
  v  
  WONG CHUN HUNG  

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Before: Deputy District Judge M Chow in Court (Open to Public)
Date: 21 May 2026
Present: Ms Chan Shuk Yi, Bertha, counsel-on-fiat, for HKSAR/Director of Public Prosecutions
Mr Chu Wai Kei, instructed by Chiu, Szeto & Cheng, assigned by the Director of Legal Aid, for the Defendant
Offence: Trafficking in dangerous drugs(販運危險藥物)

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REASONS FOR SENTENCE

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1.The Defendant pleaded guilty to a charge of trafficking dangerous drug, namely 42.5 grammes of a mixture containing 34.45 grammes of heroin hydrochloride (a salt of heroin) and 3.77 grammes of acetylcodeine (an ester of codeine).

Summary of facts

2.At about 2:08 pm on 14 June 2024, outside No 182 of Nam Cheong Street, the police intercepted the Defendant for search, inside his sling bag, a soft drink carton containing a sealed plastic bag of which it contained the dangerous drugs of the present case.

3.The Defendant was arrested and he said under caution that he was instructed by a person to bring the drugs to Tung Chau Street Park and was promised for a reward.

4.The Defendant had HK$2,145 and one mobile phone with 2 SIM cards with him.

5.Inside the sealed bag, there were a total of 160 packets:-

(a) 70 green packets;

(b) 40 yellow packets;

(c) 50 purple packets;

(d) the total weight of the 160 packets containing a narcotic content of 34.45 grammes of heroin hydrochloride and 3.77 grammes of acetylcodeine.

6.The street value of the heroin hydrochloride was about HK$22,048.

Criminal record

7.The Defendant has a list of criminal records since 2008 to 2023, he had 3 convictions of trafficking dangerous drugs and 2 drugs related offences, the rest of the offences were going equip for stealing and theft charges.

Background of the Defendant

8.He is now 51 years old and divorced.  He has a daughter whom is 7 years old.  He is not living with his family.

Sentence

9.In the present case, there are 2 types of dangerous drugs involved:-

(a) 34.45 grammes of heroin hydrochloride;

(b) 3.77 grammes of acetylcodeine.

10.Among the 2 types of dangerous drugs, acetylcodeine has a very small portion, it therefore has an insignificant bearing in the outcome of the sentence.  According to the decision of HKSAR v Lui Cheung Chi[1] that in approaching to sentence the Defendant, I can ignore the quantity of acetylcodeine to achieve a fair calculation of sentence.

11.According to the sentencing guideline of HKSAR v Huang Ruifang[2], 34.45 grammes of heroin hydrochloride falls into the sentencing bracket of 5 to 8 years imprisonment.  It attracts a sentence of 6 years 10 months (82months).

12.As stated in the case of HKSAR v. Herry Jane Yusuph[3] that I also need to consider the Defendant’s role and culpability.  There were altogether 160 packets of drugs which were available for sale and redistribution.  I am also concerned that the Defendant has HK$2,145 with him.  I am told he was a street sleeper at the time of arrest, therefore, he has to carry the money with him.  In view of what he said under caution that he was on his way to deliver drugs to a park in Tung Chau Street for a reward, I will sentence the Defendant as a courier.

13.The defence accepted that there is an aggravating factor in the present case:-

(a) The Defendant has a long list of criminal records, 3 were trafficking dangerous drugs.

(b) The Defendant committed the present offence 2 months after his discharge from prison.

14.According to the case HKSAR v Yu Chi Chiu[4]:-

“In the case that both factors exist and as far as enhancing sentencing starting point is concerned, the factor of reoffending shortly after release is no different from that of having multiple similar convictions in the past. The former is at most proof of the latter.”

15.As such, I consider that (a) and (b) above as one factor for enhancement.  I enhance the sentence by 3 months.

16.To this end, the total sentence arrives at 85 months (82 + 3), given 1/3 discount, the sentence comes down to 56.7 months. I round down to 56 months.  That is 4 years 8 months.

17.I order the Defendant to serve a period of 4 years and 8 months imprisonment.

( M Chow )
Deputy District Judge

[1] CACC 76/2020

[2] [2025] 2 HKLRD 138

[3] [2021] 1 HKLRD 290

[4] [2017] 1 HKLRD 400