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HCCC401/2025
HKSAR v. LAM HOI-YAN
Case Details
Case ReferenceHCCC401/2025
CourtCourt of First Instance of the High Court 高等法院(原訟法庭)
Date Published2026-03-19
LanguageEnglish
NCN[2026] HKCFI 1475
Claimant / ApplicantHKSAR
Defendant / RespondentLAM HOI-YAN
JudgesHon Tam J
Claimant CounselMs Clara Ma
Claimant SolicitorsDepartment of Justice
Defendant CounselMr. Ching Wan Fung
Defendant SolicitorsMessrs. Robertsons
Judgment Summary
Facts
- •Police stopped taxi in Yau Ma Tei on 12 June 2024.
- •Defendant's handbag contained liquid cartridges, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
- •Methamphetamine quantity: 6.09 grammes.
- •Cocaine quantity: 6.94 grammes.
- •Liquid cartridges tested negative but Defendant believed them to be ketamine.
- •Defendant admitted trafficking and attempting to traffic.
- •Defendant had 8 prior convictions including previous trafficking.
Issues
- •Appropriate sentencing starting point for trafficking multiple drug types.
- •Application of the conversion test versus ratio or absurdity tests.
- •Assessment of aggravating factors including repeat offending.
- •Sentencing reduction for attempted trafficking where no harm occurred.
- •Totality principle for consecutive sentences.
Outcome
- •Sentence of 4 years 8 months for 1st charge (trafficking).
- •Sentence of 2 years for 2nd charge (attempted trafficking).
- •4 months of 2nd charge to be served consecutively.
- •Total effective sentence: 5 years' imprisonment.
Implication
- •Confirms use of conversion test for multiple drug trafficking sentencing.
- •Reaffirms guilty plea discount of one-third in serious trafficking cases.
- •Highlights reduction principle for attempted trafficking with no actual harm.
- •Establishes repeat trafficking offenders face enhanced starting points.
Laws & Authorities Cited
- §Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134), s.4(1)(a)
- §Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134), s.4(3)
- §Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200), s.159G
- §HKSAR v Herry Jane Yusuph [2021] 1 HKLRD 290
- §HKSAR v Lee Ming Ho [2024] 1 HKLRD 1186
- §HKSAR v Chan Yuk Leong [2013] CACC 318/2013
- §HKSAR v Yim Hung Lui Ricky [2011] CACC 266/2011
- §HKSAR v Islam Azharul [2020] 1 HKLRD 644
- §HKSAR v Li Oi Yee [2012] 1 HKLRD 276
- §HKSAR v Cheng Ling Ling [2019] 3 HKLRD 797