This quantity was packaged in two separate bags each containing exactly 200 grammes of ketamine. The total value of this amount was just over $55,000.
The drugs were found at the defendant’s flat together with an electronic scale and several wads of empty plastic resealable bags.
The defendant lived with his mother and much younger brother who were also in residence when the flat was raided by the police on 27 June 2012. That occurred just after the defendant’s girlfriend had arrived at the address.
On arrest, the defendant said that the K-Chai had been given to him by someone he named as Ah Wai to share out to other people for him. Other family members, he said, were unaware of what he was doing.
Later, in interview, the defendant referred to the person who had given him these drugs by his proper name, Lau Po‑wai, saying that Lau had wanted him to store the drugs for one or two days in return for which he would be paid $2,000. The drugs were then delivered by two men who came by taxi and later he was told to package the K‑Chai into smaller packets so that these could be given to Lau’s men when they came to collect.
In a further interview with the police the telephone number of Lau was given.
Now, the sentencing guidelines for ketamine are set out in Secretary for Justice v Hii Siew Cheng [2009] 1 HKLRD 1. The quantity in the present case falls within the 9 to 12‑year band for between 300 and 600 grammes of ketamine.
Would you stand, please.
You describe yourself as a ketamine addict. You were spending $200 a day every time you took the stuff and so you will have been well aware of the consequences of being caught trafficking in this drug.
The appropriate starting point for the amount you had when you were arrested is a 10‑year starting point. I am going to give you full credit for your timely plea and for other aspects of your mitigation.
The sentence on you will be one of 6 years’ imprisonment.