COURT: The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in 820.52 grammes of cocaine.
On 28 November 2012 at about 12.58 pm, a team of police officers observed the defendant entering Flat B, 2nd Floor, Block 5, Mei Foo Sun Chuen. About 10 minutes later, the defendant left the flat and was subsequently intercepted by police officers at the podium. Upon search, nine packets containing 170.52 grammes of cocaine were found inside the green sling bag carried by the defendant.
The police officers also found a set of keys from the defendant and used them to enter Flat B. In the defendant’s room, they found a plastic box containing 650 grammes of cocaine inside a drawer at the bottom of a bag. The police officers also seized an electronic scale and a pile of resealable plastic bags.
The defendant admitted, under caution, that he packed the drug for Ah Ming. He would receive a total of $20,000 reward.
The police estimated that the market value of the cocaine was about $1.2 million.
The defendant is 31 years old. He lives apart from his mother and sister. He received education up to form 5. He has one previous conviction in 1998 for attempted burglary. Before the offence, he was a part-time waiter, earning about $4,000 per month. He committed the offence solely because of financial reward.
He was co-operative after his arrest. The defendant submits a letter saying that he was foolish in committing the offence and brought shame to his family. He is now remorseful and pleads for leniency. Mr Wong, chaplain in the reception centre, confirmed that the defendant was deeply remorseful.
According to Hong Kong SAR v Abdullah, for trafficking in 820.52 grammes of cocaine, the starting point should be 21 years’ imprisonment. I deduct 7 years for his plea. There is no further valid mitigating ground.
I sentence the defendant to 14 years’ imprisonment.