Teenager jailed for 11 years over drug trafficking

An 18-year-old boy was jailed for 11 years yesterday for drug trafficking when he was 15 - a time when he was paid HK$400 each time he packed the drugs in a Mui Wo flat for a friend.

Cheung Chi-hin pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in dangerous drugs when he appeared in the Court of First Instance yesterday.

The court heard that Cheung was found to have over 2.6 kilograms of ketamine with a street value of HK$1.7 million when police raided the flat.

High Court judge Judianna Barnes told the defendant to "make good use of the time in jail and treasure his family's support and caring."

Barnes said "although Cheung is not the mastermind of the crime, he played an important role in packaging and carrying the drugs, and should have been sentenced to up to 19 years if he is an adult."

But Barnes noted Cheung was a minor when he committed the crime, which made him susceptible to being exploited by others into engaging in criminal activities.

After deducting a one-third discount for his guilty plea, Barnes reduced Cheung's prison term to 11 years, from a starting point of 16.5 years.

The court heard that at around 9pm on June 27, 2021, Cheung left a flat on the first floor of the Mui Wo Building on Mui Wo Ferry Pier Road and was walking towards the elevator lobby when police pounced on him.

Officers seized a key from him, used it to enter the flat, and found the 2.6 kg of drugs packed in 19 plastic bags.

Officers also seized packaging tools including electronic scales, scissors, disposable gloves and a sealing machine.

Under police caution, the then 15-year-old admitted his crime as he wanted to make some quick money.

The court heard that Cheung was paid HK$400 to HK$500 each time he packed the drugs for a friend.

In mitigation, the defense said Cheung was driven by an urgent need to make money as his mother lost her job due to the pandemic and his security guard father could not work at the time due to leg injuries.

Cheung quit school after Secondary Four, lacked an understanding of the law, and put his trust in the wrong person.

In a mitigation letter, Cheung's mother said she and her husband were busy with work and their son had been raised by grandparents.

Cheung was regretful of his crime and promised he would abide by the law, study hard and equip himself for the future.

The court heard that surveillance camera footage showed on June 25, 2021, two days before Cheung's arrest, he walked into the Mui Wo Building, and left with two bags. On June 27, he entered the building with a cardboard box and left the flat empty-handed.

Officers later found the flat was rented by a man named Wong Kam-wing.