HKSAR v. Akiyoshi Norio
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DCCC 1286/2025 [2026] HKDC 1520 IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION CRIMINAL CASE NO 1286 OF 2025 ________________________
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________________________ REASONS FOR SENTENCE ________________________ 1.The Defendant pleaded guilty to trafficking in dangerous drugs, namely 9,963 grammes of cannabis in herbal form. On 22 March 2025, Customs officer noticed a suspicious check-in suitcase left unattended at a carousel at the arrival hall of the Hong Kong International Airport, which turned out to belong to the Defendant. The Defendant was a transit Japanese visitor, who arrived at the Hong Kong International Airport from Thailand and was scheduled to transit to Hualien, Taiwan. 2.Customs Officer located the Defendant at the transit area of the Hong Kong International Airport. Upon search, a bag identification tag bearing the same number as the said suitcase was found inside the Defendant’s bag. 3.Customs officer asked the Defendant for the password to the said suitcase, but they were unable to communicate due to language barrier. Customs officer then prized open the said suitcase in the presence of the Defendant, whereby 10 transparent plastic bags wrapped with aluminium foil containing 9,963 g of herbal cannabis was found inside. The estimated street value of the said cannabis is $1,673,784. 4.According to the airlines’ records, the Defendant checked in for both flights from Bangkok to Hong Kong and from Hong Kong to Hualien, but specifically requested to collect the said suitcase in Hong Kong. 5.During a cautioned interview, the Defendant stated that he had no knowledge of the said suitcase, and that it did not belong to him. He stated that he only had a hand-carry suitcase when he checked in for the flight in Bangkok, and that he did not check the identification tag when he checked in, as he was in a rush to catch the flight to Hualien and for business and sightseeing. He stated his suspicion that someone else’s luggage was mixed up with his. He refused to provide further details of his trip to Hualien. Defendant’s Antecedent Statement and Mitigation 6.The Defendant is 48 years old and has 2 children who are living with his ex-wife. He has a clear record in Hong Kong. 7.Defence submitted that the Defendant ran a restaurant business which was failing at the time of offence, and due to pressure from debt, he committed the present offence. Defence wishes the Court to consider that the Defendant was a mere courier. Sentencing Considerations 8.I have considered the Defendant’s guilty plea and his clear record, his remorse, and all mitigation advanced on his behalf. 9.According to the relevant sentencing guidelines, the starting point for 9,963g of herbal cannabis should be around 50 months’ imprisonment. The Defendant is a Japanese national who brought the dangerous drugs from Thailand into Hong Kong. Although he did check in to a transit flight to Hualien, he gave specific instructions to collect the said suitcase in Hong Kong, and it was found unattended in the carousel of the Hong Kong International Airport. It is apparent that the dangerous drugs were intended to enter Hong Kong. Due to the above international element, and the fact that the drugs were intended to enter Hong Kong, I will enhance the starting point by 7 months, making it 57 months’ imprisonment. 10.Due to the Defendant’s guilty plea, I will reduce it by one third, to a sentence of 3 years and 2 months’ imprisonment. I do not consider that there are any circumstances for further discount of sentence. The Defendant is therefore sentenced to 3 years and 2 months’ imprisonment.
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