Ex-SIP jailed for aiding drug trafficker in manufacturing 'ice'
2011-9-20
A former Senior Inspector of Police (SIP), charged by the ICAC, was today (Tuesday) jailed for three years and nine months at the District Court for aiding and abetting a drug trafficker in the manufacturing of “ice” in Vietnam.
Francis Lam Koon-wah, 42, was earlier found guilty of one count of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of an offence under a corresponding law, contrary to Section 40(1)(c) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
In sentencing, Judge Douglas Yau Tak-hong said the defendant had procured a drug trafficker to manufacture dangerous drugs in their conversations with a view to sharing the crime proceeds afterwards.
The judge reprimanded the defendant for showing no remorse, adding that it was more serious for him, as a police officer, to commit the crime.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offence.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was a detective SIP of Cheung Sha Wan Division.
Between August 1 and October 23, 2007, the defendant had meetings with a drug trafficker on at least four separate occasions. On two of those occasions, the defendant was on duty.
During their conversations, the defendant had discussed with the drug trafficker about sourcing raw materials, including iodine and “dai liu”, for the manufacture of “ice” in Vietnam.
A narcotics expert of the Police confirmed that iodine and “dai liu” were ingredients used to manufacture “ice”.
The court heard that according to his supervisors, the defendant had never reported to the Police the drug trafficker’s involvement in manufacturing dangerous drugs, or his acquaintance with the drug trafficker.
On November 30, 2007, the defendant was arrested by ICAC officers. During a search of his residence, the officers found a video tape containing a television programme called “ World’s Most Dangerous Drugs ”, and numerous research materials about the manufacturing of “ice” in his personal computer.
Enquiries with the Government of Vietnam confirmed that the manufacturing of “ice” was a punishable criminal offence in Vietnam, the court was told.
The Police had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Vinci Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Jack Hui.
Francis Lam Koon-wah, 42, was earlier found guilty of one count of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of an offence under a corresponding law, contrary to Section 40(1)(c) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
In sentencing, Judge Douglas Yau Tak-hong said the defendant had procured a drug trafficker to manufacture dangerous drugs in their conversations with a view to sharing the crime proceeds afterwards.
The judge reprimanded the defendant for showing no remorse, adding that it was more serious for him, as a police officer, to commit the crime.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC enquiries revealed the above offence.
The court heard that at the material time, the defendant was a detective SIP of Cheung Sha Wan Division.
Between August 1 and October 23, 2007, the defendant had meetings with a drug trafficker on at least four separate occasions. On two of those occasions, the defendant was on duty.
During their conversations, the defendant had discussed with the drug trafficker about sourcing raw materials, including iodine and “dai liu”, for the manufacture of “ice” in Vietnam.
A narcotics expert of the Police confirmed that iodine and “dai liu” were ingredients used to manufacture “ice”.
The court heard that according to his supervisors, the defendant had never reported to the Police the drug trafficker’s involvement in manufacturing dangerous drugs, or his acquaintance with the drug trafficker.
On November 30, 2007, the defendant was arrested by ICAC officers. During a search of his residence, the officers found a video tape containing a television programme called “ World’s Most Dangerous Drugs ”, and numerous research materials about the manufacturing of “ice” in his personal computer.
Enquiries with the Government of Vietnam confirmed that the manufacturing of “ice” was a punishable criminal offence in Vietnam, the court was told.
The Police had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Public Prosecutor Vinci Lam, assisted by ICAC officer Jack Hui.