HKSAR v. Busagaga, Kaliro Samson Majani
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HCCC246/2012 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE CRIMINAL CASE NO. 246 OF 2012 -----------------
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--------------------------------- Transcript of the Audio Recording --------------------------------- COURT: I have to sentence you for trafficking in a dangerous drug. The drug in question was heroin and you were caught carrying 316 grammes of it at the airport. The drugs were contained in 52 pellets which you had swallowed and you had arrived, via Ethiopia, from Tanzania, of which country you are a native. I know that it has been explained to you that the sentencing in drug cases like this depends upon guidelines and the guidelines, in turn, are based on the nature of the drug and the quantity of it. You fall into the category for heroin that runs from 200 grammes to 400 grammes, attracting a starting point of imprisonment, after trial, of 12 to 15 years. I also have to reflect the fact that you were bringing drugs across an international border. I have read the letter that you wrote to me and I accept that you are remorseful. You will have a one-third discount on your sentence. In taking the starting point, it is not just mathematical but looking at the amount in question, I shall take a starting point of 13 years and I shall add 6 months to that for the international element. That would give a total of 13½ years. You earn the one-third discount and the result is a sentence of imprisonment of 9 years and that is the sentence I pass upon you today. |